tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:25:49 +0000inspirationdecoratingdisplaytutorialfallChristmastablescape thursdaywhitedishesetsywreathmet mondayCancer Diarygreenlogan31 Daysspringtablescapemantlekitchenartworkcollectionsredvintagebootheasterhalloweenpaintingthriftyliving roommake it for mondaymake your mondayDIYbluemosaic mondayrandom postvalentine's dayDIY Daybedroomblackchalkboard paintspray paintturquoise4th of Julyfabricgiveawaymary carol garrityorangeornamentsaturday nite specialsummerthanksgivingDaisyautumncloche partyflowersgingerbread menlamplaundry roommodernnaturepainted furniturepumpkinsst. patty's daytreeMartha StewartNorth Carolinaarrangementsburlapgreykeegankitchen faceliftlemonsnell hill'spineconesshipping tagsvacationweekend round upwhatever wednesdayyellowFindingsat home thursdaybarnyard daysbasketbottlescamp blanketchairsfaceliftfamily funfelt flowersholiday tourhooked on fridaysinspiration mondayit works for me tuesdaymantlescapemumspillowpottery barnprinter's blockrangeline antique mallseashellsshoppingsignsilvertabletop tuesdaytim holtz2011CSI projectHutchIndependence DayMottoWordless Wednesdayacornsantique mallantiquesback to schoolcabbage basketcampchairchevroncitrus sorbetcolin cowiecolor of the yeardoily basketsdresserfunkyfurniture feature fridaygarden stooljewelrylanternlucky clovermagnolia leaf wreathmakeovermap wallmemorial daynapkin ringspicturesrusticsand dollarscrapbookingshabby apple giveawayshow and tellsignsstarfishstylingsunflowersuzanitablethree or moretraytulipsweekend linkswinnerwinter20102013American GirlBritish FlagDIY ClubDeclaration of IndependenceElaineFort MaconMaidenhair CollectionPfaltzgraffTom Pettyaidan grayannouncementsanthropologieauctionaugustbasketsbeaver's dambefore and after partybirthdaybookcasesbottle capsboxwoodbransoncamilla molderscape lookoutcarnationschandyclockscoastalcoffee tableconcrete planterscraftcrepe paperd.h. holmesdaffodilsdeskdogwooddoor hangerdownloaddriftwood lampexoticfireplace faceliftfloorclothflower bedforsythiafound tresuresfree peoplegardengerbera daisiesgiftglassgold leafgoose creek candle Co.grand fallsgreen lemonade recipeguesthandmade holidayhedge appleshollyhot chocolatehouzz.comikeainspired ideas partyit works for mw tuesdayjingle bellsjustinkitschylabor dayleaf garlandlife artistlinenlotus pod wreathlucky garlandmoustachesode to the oceanombreowlspaint techniquepalmer weisspaper dogwoodspennant garlandpfister faucetsphase 2photo stylingplaidplantsplasterporchpursequestionsrainrefinishingresolutionsrevealrunnersamantha pynnsea glass trayshabby appleskirted desksnow globeso fresh and so cleansponsorshipst louisstore toursunburst mirrorsunday showcaseswansborosweater pillowsweet potato vinettable rock laketable runnertabouret stoolthe fallsthe inspired roomtiered standstraditional hometransformation thursdaytuesday {ten}vintage postcardswall gallerywar eaglewinter solsticeyear in reviewzebraSweet Something Designshttp://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)Blogger466125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-5423185125280093250Fri, 07 Mar 2014 03:03:00 +00002014-03-06T21:03:40.030-06:00Love Always, Michelle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a><br />After her last post, Michelle underwent a painful chemo regiment that she ended up having a bad reaction to. &nbsp;Subsequent scans revealed that once again, in spite of treatment, the tumors on her lungs and liver had continued to grow. &nbsp;The treatments had made her sick and she had not been able to make a follow-up post. &nbsp;Then things took a terrible turn for the worst. &nbsp;Before she passed away, she had asked for us to make a post on her behalf to explain her absence...<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It was just a couple of days before Thanksgiving. &nbsp;Michelle's sister Klair and our niece Vicktoria had come to visit for the Thanksgiving holiday from North Carolina. &nbsp;Thank you Barbie for helping to raise the money that made that trip possible [Michelle specifically asked for this to be included in the post]. &nbsp;Michelle was experiencing a bad headache and her pain medicine was not helping. &nbsp;She began to loose her eyesight, became disorientated, fell down, and was conscious but unresponsive. &nbsp;She had a seizure in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and second seizure after she arrived at the emergency room. &nbsp;They performed a brain scan and discovered that the cancer had spread to her brain. &nbsp;The tumor itself was golf ball size and the swelling around the tumor was extensive.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;They did not expect her to pull through, but she did! &nbsp;The swelling was brought under control using a steroid and she started taking anti-seizure medication for good measure. &nbsp;They encouraged us to take hospice, but Michelle was too courageous to go down without a fight. &nbsp;Hospice was turned down so that she could continue to pursue active treatment. &nbsp;She began taking radiation in order to shrink the tumor. &nbsp;This left her weak and caused her to start loosing her hair again. <br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;About two weeks before Christmas, the swelling came back and we took another ambulance ride to the hospital. &nbsp;They increased her steroid dose and performed another brain scan. &nbsp;The tumor had responded to the radiation and shrunk by a couple of millimeters. &nbsp;Again they pushed for her to accept hospice but, in spite of the edema and always a fighter, she chose to continue her radiation treatments while at the hospital. <br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;They increased steroid dose, got the swelling back under control, and Michelle recovered in time to come home for Christmas. Our oldest son Keegan had put the tree up for her and decorated it himself. &nbsp;We had also rearranged the furniture in the living room to accommodate a hospital bed. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rHNZJByYlA/Uxgdpnec_aI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hrZJDIEdl_w/s1600/20131225_100444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rHNZJByYlA/Uxgdpnec_aI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hrZJDIEdl_w/s1600/20131225_100444.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a good Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kS3lfzi7sE/Uxgee4mD3hI/AAAAAAAAAG4/eakDhxzcOVg/s1600/20131225_104851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kS3lfzi7sE/Uxgee4mD3hI/AAAAAAAAAG4/eakDhxzcOVg/s1600/20131225_104851.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;At this point the high dose steroid regiment had began to take its toll on Michelle's body. &nbsp;She was losing a lot of weight and she was having trouble eating and drinking. &nbsp;We called home health for assistance and they sent a nurse to assess her. &nbsp;It was the morning of January 8th and she appeared to be quite healthy and cognitive. &nbsp;She told the nurse that she was concerned about her inability to consume sufficient nutrients and fluids and she requested an I.V. and a feeding tube. &nbsp;He got the I.V. approved almost immediately and it arrived by courier later that evening. &nbsp;The request for the feeding tube, as it would turn out, did not get approved in time. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Overnight her pain began to increase. &nbsp;Home health and her oncologist pushed again for hospice. &nbsp;Hospice offers top of the line pain management at the expense of having to discontinue all active treatments including ambulatory service. &nbsp;Because we needed to get her pain levels under control, we agreed to meet with them. &nbsp;They arrived at a little after 10am the morning of the 9th but by then it was clear that we were out of time. &nbsp;As her MIL laid beside her and as I clung to her, she passed away at 10:40am before the consent papers had been signed. &nbsp;In a way, she had refused hospice one last time. &nbsp;She had fought to the bitter end and through it all; she never, even for a moment, gave up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KJ7wChtnok/Uxhyq5_JC4I/AAAAAAAAAHI/xa9Xf5gv9cM/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KJ7wChtnok/Uxhyq5_JC4I/AAAAAAAAAHI/xa9Xf5gv9cM/s1600/IMG.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSFDtqT8dP4/Uxhy5SStLyI/AAAAAAAAAHc/rc4S8iG9_70/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSFDtqT8dP4/Uxhy5SStLyI/AAAAAAAAAHc/rc4S8iG9_70/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtxMm8u4Tsw/UxhytqItYvI/AAAAAAAAAHU/hB8KeIoKXwU/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtxMm8u4Tsw/UxhytqItYvI/AAAAAAAAAHU/hB8KeIoKXwU/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi2irC4AEFA/UxhzYorAtyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/4rRIB4p8Opc/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi2irC4AEFA/UxhzYorAtyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/4rRIB4p8Opc/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xts60mxVClc/UxiGZYsiWmI/AAAAAAAAAII/oZJEqxtVMkI/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xts60mxVClc/UxiGZYsiWmI/AAAAAAAAAII/oZJEqxtVMkI/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kt5rGIgFp0/UxhzWqaxa-I/AAAAAAAAAHs/ziP0Be4sJhQ/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kt5rGIgFp0/UxhzWqaxa-I/AAAAAAAAAHs/ziP0Be4sJhQ/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;My plan, at this point, is to make at least one more post. &nbsp;Michelle had started and published plans for a kitchen makeover last year that was not completed. &nbsp;It is my intention to complete that makeover and publish the result. &nbsp;My goal is to have the project completed and published around this time next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/love-always-michelle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin)69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-6514910022662642792Sat, 11 Jan 2014 14:55:00 +00002014-01-11T08:55:38.851-06:00Sweet Michelle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A commemorative post&nbsp;will be made by Michelle's family in the upcoming weeks.&nbsp; This is a temporary post to make her followers aware that on January 9th, Michelle lost her battle against cancer.</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br /></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A "celebration of life" service will be held at Christ's Church of Oronogo [Missouri] on Monday, January 13th at 3:30pm.</div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/sweet-michelle_11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)136tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-8037390100580870709Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:33:00 +00002013-10-18T15:33:29.741-05:00Cancer DiaryStrong And Courageous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDX_vHidOKI/UmGZ0E3Fv1I/AAAAAAAAQMk/Rop5lGExNqk/s1600/faith.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDX_vHidOKI/UmGZ0E3Fv1I/AAAAAAAAQMk/Rop5lGExNqk/s640/faith.png" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kashakurtz.tumblr.com/page/6">via&nbsp;</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kashakurtz.tumblr.com/page/6"> </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been rolling around in self pity lately. We won't put a time frame on how long the wallering has gone on-I'm still doing it after all. What I'm trying to do <i>and it seems to be taking a while this time</i> is get back on my feet after my last trip to Houston. I'm still trying to work out the disappointment and broken heart. I haven't been able to write but I think it might actually help-I know it has in the past.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had an appointment in Houston, I'd been going weekly overnight trips, taking the trial pills, getting to know my doctors, getting to know my way around MD Anderson...this trip included the CT scans to see what the tumors are doing and if the trial pills were doing anything. I had all the tests the day before and the doctor appointment the next day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The news is not good. CT scans revealed the tumors are larger...which means the trial drug isn't working. So it's over. Just like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm upset.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm very disappointed and quite devastated. I thought this was going to be IT!! I realize there is no cure for my cancer, but the drug promised to stop the growth so I can live with the cancer and it didn't.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am still working on emotionally dealing with the let down and physically...well, it's a work in progress too. The part of my lungs that the cancer is pretty big is constricting my airways, so I get winded walking from one end of the house to the other...reading books to Logan aloud has become difficult too.&nbsp; I'm just going to have to take it slow(er) and start coping with what I can do now, not what I can't do any more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So what are we doing next? I start chemotherapy again, next week, with a new drug. It's just one day a week for 3 hours (that includes, fluids, nausea meds, etc.). We will see what this drug does, it's got a laundry list of side effects that I'm not looking forward to, but gonna do it anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So while God works on my broken heart and body, I appreciate your prayers. So many of you have emailed me and reached out on FB, thank you!</span></div>&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/10/strong-and-courageous.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-6285444560053977700Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:14:00 +00002013-09-24T11:14:34.132-05:002013arrangementsautumnburlapcolor of the yeardecoratingdisplayfallgarden stoollanternmantlemantlescapeFall Mantel 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIVTDuzjkJ8/UkGHL2Mz-ZI/AAAAAAAAQL0/Zk9MWnYW0ns/s1600/IMG_7589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIVTDuzjkJ8/UkGHL2Mz-ZI/AAAAAAAAQL0/Zk9MWnYW0ns/s640/IMG_7589.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I<span style="font-size: large;">'ve b</span>een thinking about decorating for the season for a while now-I'm always inspired by Fall! By the time the season gets here, I have a pretty good idea what I want to do. I even do some sketches as ideas come to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't even get around to showing you my Summer mantel...this is how it's looked for several months.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-rUzIFH3t4/Ujc74Mbrl6I/AAAAAAAAQH0/VBZckT6EpT4/s1600/IMG_7509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-rUzIFH3t4/Ujc74Mbrl6I/AAAAAAAAQH0/VBZckT6EpT4/s640/IMG_7509.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Justin and I were at Ikea last week, we bought this botanical canvas. I didn't know how much I would love it until I got it up on the wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUNcrR4af2k/UkCkuP4xJMI/AAAAAAAAQI8/YFa6tAnjJ2E/s1600/IMG_7528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUNcrR4af2k/UkCkuP4xJMI/AAAAAAAAQI8/YFa6tAnjJ2E/s640/IMG_7528.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;It's a large piece and it matches in scale the sconces that I have....It really makes a statement and I let it guide me in the rest of the living room. I wanted to do something different for Fall. I use all the colors anyway...green, brown, black, orange, and even blue....but the deeper green-that I've never used.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5J-5B8r7YQ/UkCkuxSrO3I/AAAAAAAAQJE/1who73aA040/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5J-5B8r7YQ/UkCkuxSrO3I/AAAAAAAAQJE/1who73aA040/s640/IMG_7525.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With my energy level being super low-the fireplace is the only area I'm going to decorate this year. I'll probably work on the porch as well, but we'll see. I made this little apple wreath to hang down the face of the fireplace. I've always admired the fresh apple versions but these are little artificial apples and will last year after year. All I did was cut a wire clothes hanger and push the styrofoam apples on one at a time and finished off the top with some burlap.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwOApRKo_ck/UkCk25Q4NZI/AAAAAAAAQJM/wEXMkUpfBow/s1600/IMG_7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwOApRKo_ck/UkCk25Q4NZI/AAAAAAAAQJM/wEXMkUpfBow/s640/IMG_7586.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Along with the emerald green, I decided to do a more muted palette vs. shocking orange which I've done in the past. I'm really liking it for this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiCUhGH78Zc/UkCk5PrLhzI/AAAAAAAAQJU/zaub4bcjM-Q/s1600/IMG_7572-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiCUhGH78Zc/UkCk5PrLhzI/AAAAAAAAQJU/zaub4bcjM-Q/s640/IMG_7572-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">The lanterns I bought last year during Christmas time, so I am really happy to use them for fall this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5RIMBhIAuQ/UkCk8jUw44I/AAAAAAAAQJc/PEKdvVJ2-RA/s1600/IMG_7588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5RIMBhIAuQ/UkCk8jUw44I/AAAAAAAAQJc/PEKdvVJ2-RA/s640/IMG_7588.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I seem to always anchor the mantel with an arrangement and this year is no different....it's what I do and I love doing them -so why not! This one is pretty tall, reaching all the way to the ceiling with the branches. Maple leaves, millet, hydrangea, berries and curly willow-all things I love to work with.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM1Ao5qQpZ8/UkClA50J-RI/AAAAAAAAQJk/HqvrQoHrxk8/s1600/IMG_7596-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM1Ao5qQpZ8/UkClA50J-RI/AAAAAAAAQJk/HqvrQoHrxk8/s640/IMG_7596-001.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Little mushroom images (from the <a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/">Graphics Fairy</a>), I printed them here at home, cut them and literally taped them to the mirror with washi tape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8xrsWFI06c/UkClDtPBD_I/AAAAAAAAQJs/o42NQgG2JfY/s1600/IMG_7597-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8xrsWFI06c/UkClDtPBD_I/AAAAAAAAQJs/o42NQgG2JfY/s640/IMG_7597-001.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">The little <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/emerald-green-garden-stool.html">revamped garden stool </a>from yesterday. Click<a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/emerald-green-garden-stool.html"> HERE</a> to see the <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/emerald-green-garden-stool.html"><i>before</i></a>. It's the same shade of green as in the canvas and it looks fantastic up against the walnut buffet. This makes me happy about my decision to do a bold green!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y39IcQdIlAQ/UkClFHtpAlI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/PLHZAw4VotA/s1600/IMG_7604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y39IcQdIlAQ/UkClFHtpAlI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/PLHZAw4VotA/s640/IMG_7604.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I'm still enjoying my ikat curtains and haven't changed them in several months-that's always a good sign.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKtEOZWWlXM/UkClLD9nJEI/AAAAAAAAQJ8/c-6CnxktWBI/s1600/IMG_7590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKtEOZWWlXM/UkClLD9nJEI/AAAAAAAAQJ8/c-6CnxktWBI/s640/IMG_7590.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMucWdo05n4/UkGHrY7Fq6I/AAAAAAAAQME/tEFcBuy0zpk/s1600/IMG_7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMucWdo05n4/UkGHrY7Fq6I/AAAAAAAAQME/tEFcBuy0zpk/s640/IMG_7599.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwIwpgK8y_g/UkGHesaBYJI/AAAAAAAAQL8/WOklJUSO1h0/s1600/IMG_7608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwIwpgK8y_g/UkGHesaBYJI/AAAAAAAAQL8/WOklJUSO1h0/s640/IMG_7608.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO6_fs_2Uxs/UkClMbJNMsI/AAAAAAAAQKA/38SBDr4XqBQ/s1600/IMG_7613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO6_fs_2Uxs/UkClMbJNMsI/AAAAAAAAQKA/38SBDr4XqBQ/s640/IMG_7613.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">An evening shot-so cozy with the battery operated candles! ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGF5QmMeZak/UkClQTUy31I/AAAAAAAAQKM/tKjL5kgxyd8/s1600/IMG_7548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGF5QmMeZak/UkClQTUy31I/AAAAAAAAQKM/tKjL5kgxyd8/s640/IMG_7548.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you are inspired and Happy Fall!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Joining <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/">Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-mantel-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-2033316670217928684Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:03:00 +00002013-09-23T18:03:07.641-05:00color of the yeargarden stoolgreeninspirationspray paintEmerald Green Garden Stool<div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't believe my luck while perusing Goodwill several weeks ago, I happened upon a pretty little garden stool. A garden stool has always been on my want list, but some of the prices of them are cray-cray...so I practically ran when I spied this one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYkIhMVR5nI/UkC7aXwbUtI/AAAAAAAAQKc/JNZU7s66vgk/s1600/IMG_7561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYkIhMVR5nI/UkC7aXwbUtI/AAAAAAAAQKc/JNZU7s66vgk/s640/IMG_7561.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;It wasn't the color I would have chosen, but if you are here reading, you know of my love of spray paint-heck,<i> your l</i>ove of spray paint-we have that in common I'm sure. I liked the unique style as well, so no chips or cracks and this baby came home with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAox2SjprgY/UkC7bR57cUI/AAAAAAAAQKk/spYIy-jW7Ig/s1600/IMG_7533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAox2SjprgY/UkC7bR57cUI/AAAAAAAAQKk/spYIy-jW7Ig/s640/IMG_7533.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">As with EVERYTHING I spray paint...<i>clean metal primer</i> is what I use as a base. I let it cure overnight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-37r8uYnocLo/UkC7b4u4GSI/AAAAAAAAQKs/mxH-z2IaXPg/s1600/IMG_7535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-37r8uYnocLo/UkC7b4u4GSI/AAAAAAAAQKs/mxH-z2IaXPg/s640/IMG_7535.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">This botanical canvas from Ikea became my inspiration as soon as I hung it, so my color choice was pretty easy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1f3fwekrwRg/UkC8tJ6EfuI/AAAAAAAAQLg/h78pjdTAR_8/s1600/IMG_7526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1f3fwekrwRg/UkC8tJ6EfuI/AAAAAAAAQLg/h78pjdTAR_8/s640/IMG_7526.JPG" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used 'Meadow Green' from Rustoleum and I really liked the finish. I typically use Krylon, but I decided to try something new this time. I barely used the whole can even with the three coats it took for total coverage.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlPJYBRynBw/UkC7kewnrzI/AAAAAAAAQK0/vA1CDEvB8dk/s1600/IMG_7554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlPJYBRynBw/UkC7kewnrzI/AAAAAAAAQK0/vA1CDEvB8dk/s640/IMG_7554.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Once it was totally cured (it's sooo important to be patient with the painting process) I brought it inside to use as a little accent table next to our charcoal chair.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M432LdT8nJc/UkC7mANJ3cI/AAAAAAAAQK8/e1pdQcE-lMk/s1600/IMG_7566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M432LdT8nJc/UkC7mANJ3cI/AAAAAAAAQK8/e1pdQcE-lMk/s640/IMG_7566.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I did some foo-fooing, of course, but in reality, it will remain empty to actually be used.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSkhyrCRF0k/UkC7npj5x_I/AAAAAAAAQLE/tbcyTYcLXew/s1600/IMG_7564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSkhyrCRF0k/UkC7npj5x_I/AAAAAAAAQLE/tbcyTYcLXew/s640/IMG_7564.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I love, love, love how it turned out and really excited how the bold green is looking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOmHJ5NqvtM/UkC7ykr3gTI/AAAAAAAAQLU/HhMXMcXu2rI/s1600/IMG_7573-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOmHJ5NqvtM/UkC7ykr3gTI/AAAAAAAAQLU/HhMXMcXu2rI/s640/IMG_7573-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;As you know, Emerald is the color of the year for 2013 and leave it to me to wait until practically the end of the year to incorporate it! Have you used Emerald some way in your home?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04qS-Lmo_kM/UkC7s-DmBEI/AAAAAAAAQLQ/KpU83pLp8l4/s1600/IMG_7615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04qS-Lmo_kM/UkC7s-DmBEI/AAAAAAAAQLQ/KpU83pLp8l4/s640/IMG_7615.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will be sharing my Fall Mantel with you tomorrow, see you then!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/emerald-green-garden-stool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-4015085044224812845Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:27:00 +00002013-09-09T10:27:27.904-05:00etsyfallwreathNew Fall Wreaths!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I spent a few hours in my studio this weekend and some fall wreaths happened. ;) It's been a while since I have felt up to designing, but fall always gets me inspired, so I ran with it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ASh8X6Izg4/Uix8GLO-mbI/AAAAAAAAQGM/sZCZYMFuPpE/s1600/IMG_7413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ASh8X6Izg4/Uix8GLO-mbI/AAAAAAAAQGM/sZCZYMFuPpE/s640/IMG_7413.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You'll nearly always find a lotus pod or pine cones in my designs, no matter the season-two of my favorite elements.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Bxq6iarbig/Uix8GlP22SI/AAAAAAAAQGU/LPelYJdtW0k/s1600/IMG_7415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Bxq6iarbig/Uix8GlP22SI/AAAAAAAAQGU/LPelYJdtW0k/s640/IMG_7415.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aside from plaid ribbon that is! This ribbon is a favorite and I already know I should have bought more.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTocb9MDiSE/Uix8J6P9BTI/AAAAAAAAQGc/13FcsulBKWk/s1600/IMG_7404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTocb9MDiSE/Uix8J6P9BTI/AAAAAAAAQGc/13FcsulBKWk/s640/IMG_7404.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But on the other hand, sometimes I don't use ribbon at all (yep, I'm a Gemini). I try to do different styles and this free form is probably the hardest for me....but once it happens, I end up really loving the result. The trick is not to think about it too much. Concentrate on line and texture and of course composition. This one sold late last night, so it will be going to it's new home this week.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNjPVVa35S8/Ui3ftrz_MhI/AAAAAAAAQHU/-szdO98kgPA/s1600/IMG_7432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNjPVVa35S8/Ui3ftrz_MhI/AAAAAAAAQHU/-szdO98kgPA/s640/IMG_7432.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and sunflowers, how I love them too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L108tT74fms/Uix8Mca3b0I/AAAAAAAAQGk/P-BF0MiSvKU/s1600/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L108tT74fms/Uix8Mca3b0I/AAAAAAAAQGk/P-BF0MiSvKU/s640/IMG_7389.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Studio time makes me happy. Are you getting ready for fall?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can view my shop by clicking <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetsomethingdesign?ref=em">HERE,</a> or click on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetsomethingdesign?ref=em">shop name</a> on my sidebar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am almost done with my weekly trips to Houston, this week is <b>it</b> then they move to every other week-provided everything is still going well. Taking the trial medicine has been OK! I have been extremely tired which is my biggest frustration (what's new) and I've started noticing some abdomen pain (probably from the cancer itself) and joint pain recently. I'll be telling the doctors about it this week. Thank you all for the continued support and prayers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-fall-wreaths.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-266081687550472773Sun, 01 Sep 2013 14:00:00 +00002013-09-01T09:00:09.122-05:00Cancer DiaryWhat's Happening Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I'm slipping...like a lot. It dawned on me when I was looking through pictures of this time last year...hardly any pictures of my boys or our life, not any of crafts, projects, or tablescapes either (<i>which I realize is not important, but still a big part of me</i>). You guys know I take pictures all. the. time. and of everything. I haven't been present for a very long time and it bums me out. I realize that chemotherapy was occupying the majority of <i>everything....</i>.I just haven't been myself. Looking at pictures and the huge gap in time made me painfully aware.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd like that to change, but I really don't know if it will. My latest CT scans are positively depressing. Tumors are growing and more appearing, and there's another mass growing in between my liver and stomach.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the beauty that is Instagram,&nbsp; I have some pictures of my trips to MD Anderson. I've <i>finally</i> started the trial medication and the doctor said&nbsp; we are "cautiously optimistic" that the medicine will stop the cancer from growing. For some reason cautious and optimistic used together isn't very soothing, but I know I'm in God's hands and well, that's soothing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been taking the drug for 10 days now and been to Houston 4 times. I find Houston VERY intimidating, busy and crowded. I just have to get use to it, I know.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Palms. Can we talk about palm trees? I find it very strange, maybe because I spent my life on the east coast, to see palm trees in Texas. Florida, yes, South Carolina, yes...Houston? Are the winters mild? Must be....I should Google that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCwZP6zNqtQ/UiIcZGsJzcI/AAAAAAAAQEs/aHOR8CEMD6I/s1600/2013-08-23_1377263663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCwZP6zNqtQ/UiIcZGsJzcI/AAAAAAAAQEs/aHOR8CEMD6I/s1600/2013-08-23_1377263663.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day the trial started. I've been fasting since midnight, coffee deprived and completely cranky. Give me the flippin' medicine already....errr....I mean, I'm so thankful they chose me to participate in a potentially life saving study</span>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwV_kBNrbro/UiIcWzvt1kI/AAAAAAAAQEo/N02qPipejsI/s1600/2013-08-22_1377178856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwV_kBNrbro/UiIcWzvt1kI/AAAAAAAAQEo/N02qPipejsI/s1600/2013-08-22_1377178856.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Down the hatch. My MIL took this picture for me. 4 little capsules and a 7 hour blood draw-meaning I had to stay in the hospital and they drew blood every hour to make sure everything was going ok.&nbsp; I had another blood draw the next day (Friday) and was able to leave. We got home late and I was soooooo exhausted. We left Monday returned on Friday and I felt much like a lab rat myself. Luckily, Elaine kept Logan for me because I slept Saturday and Sunday away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8vTOZmcHjA/UiIcZxjQikI/AAAAAAAAQE0/5p7D8gsi5SY/s1600/2013-08-22_1377182270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8vTOZmcHjA/UiIcZxjQikI/AAAAAAAAQE0/5p7D8gsi5SY/s1600/2013-08-22_1377182270.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">But then I was better and able to listen to this guy talk and tell me about his week with daddy and me-maw-maw (great-grandma)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxE96LrHMt4/UiIcbO_tndI/AAAAAAAAQE8/sIhjNdBk8vQ/s1600/2013-08-26_1377557660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxE96LrHMt4/UiIcbO_tndI/AAAAAAAAQE8/sIhjNdBk8vQ/s1600/2013-08-26_1377557660.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I also went to my hair stylist for a trim...at least that's what I wanted. I got a holy crap that's short cut instead. She is extremely gifted with a pair of scissors, but I was bald just a few months ago-I feel like I'm practically starting over again! I know, it'll grow out again. Justin asked me: "Are you ever going to let your hair grow long again?" I'm getting back to him on that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNHPylPc-Tg/UiIccMN_c5I/AAAAAAAAQFE/_ChV42-6_9k/s1600/2013-08-27_1377625133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNHPylPc-Tg/UiIccMN_c5I/AAAAAAAAQFE/_ChV42-6_9k/s1600/2013-08-27_1377625133.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to Houston again (keep in mind I have to go back weekly for a month). This time I went alone because it was just two days and I decided to fly. They took a shocking amount of blood and I made the flight back out that afternoon. I met a lady in the lobby while waiting for my shuttle to the airport. She has thyroid cancer and we "talked shop" for about an hour. It's nice to talk to someone who has cancer that understands what you're going through, as weird as that may sound. I have friends that I have made here that I write that are battling too, I finally fit in a club! ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3FEp_M0Dvo/UiIccoCqoJI/AAAAAAAAQFM/A8ZaHU8ZaP4/s1600/2013-08-29_1377787796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3FEp_M0Dvo/UiIccoCqoJI/AAAAAAAAQFM/A8ZaHU8ZaP4/s1600/2013-08-29_1377787796.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back home again...Football season has started. He's been training and practicing for months now. I knew it was coming and it's finally here. If you live in or around Webb City Missouri, football is where it's at (I got 2 turntables and a microphone...name that song ;) Anyway, <span style="font-size: small;"><i>scattered</i></span>-11 time state champs and Keegan is proud to be a part of it. Friday morning happiness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYNrN1MS1VQ/UiIcdFpnQII/AAAAAAAAQFU/IQYGZ4DqITQ/s1600/2013-08-30_1377864796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYNrN1MS1VQ/UiIcdFpnQII/AAAAAAAAQFU/IQYGZ4DqITQ/s1600/2013-08-30_1377864796.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made it to the game. In the sweltering heat, and stayed the WHOLE game (barely). It was crowded and hot and no one cared. We won-a great start to the season. Selfies with this guy too? I'll take it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;P.S. I refashioned a tee shirt that wasn't girly enough, you can see a little of it here. I used <a href="http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/wearable-diy/diy-tank-top-with-shoulder-fringe/">THIS</a> tutorial and while Cathy's tank is much more sophisticated, I loved the look for the football game too. Pom-pom shoulders!! I'm channeling the inner cheerleader I never was!!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The only thing I did differently; I tied the shoulder strings in knots to hide the stitching instead of gluing on beads, you'll see what I mean when you get over there, and I used 7 instead of 5. I did this literally the same afternoon as the game. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGipcE2gF_Q/UiIcdlf19hI/AAAAAAAAQFY/GL3ssPXpV4I/s1600/2013-08-30_1377906945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGipcE2gF_Q/UiIcdlf19hI/AAAAAAAAQFY/GL3ssPXpV4I/s1600/2013-08-30_1377906945.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So even though I don't feel like I'm doing enough, I'm not present enough-I need to start thinking about all the things that I am doing and know it's enough. Man, that's hard to do.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers, I can't say that enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope everyone has a GREAT Labor Day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/whats-happening-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-714539207054912647Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:30:00 +00002013-08-17T09:41:26.847-05:00basketboothBritish FlagchairfallflowerssignMy Crazy UK Flag Chair And Other Things...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcZI5OBpNA8/Ug7C9v5Z9zI/AAAAAAAAQDw/pqAyhdtgJYU/s1600/IMG_7169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcZI5OBpNA8/Ug7C9v5Z9zI/AAAAAAAAQDw/pqAyhdtgJYU/s640/IMG_7169.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I know the first day of Fall isn't until September 22nd, but as we all know in retail it starts much, much earlier. In my mind August is when I like to start transitioning over to Fall...at the booth, mind you, not here at home...so I've been working on several projects for just that reason. I'll take pictures at the booth too, once everything gets in place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;With Fall being my favorite time of year, it bothers me none to play with brown hydrangeas, rusty metals, dark stained doors and ummm...my weird British Flag chair.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4qroC-fmto/Ug7CZdwvEFI/AAAAAAAAQCY/4tFH7reUCNk/s1600/IMG_7121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4qroC-fmto/Ug7CZdwvEFI/AAAAAAAAQCY/4tFH7reUCNk/s640/IMG_7121.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Yep, it's a deconstructed chair of sorts that I picked up at a yard sale this Spring and painstakingly painted the British flag on the seat. I put it in the back yard for a few days to get some weather and break up the freshly painted look of the flag....well, I <b>forgot</b> about my chair in the weather and discovered it just the other day once again. Whoops.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQhxhlFPaqI/Ug7CaO5FbLI/AAAAAAAAQCg/rWs7QxEqItg/s1600/IMG_7124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQhxhlFPaqI/Ug7CaO5FbLI/AAAAAAAAQCg/rWs7QxEqItg/s640/IMG_7124.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">It had certainly aged, don't you think? I actually love what the weather did to it and I sealed it with some polyurethane to stop the paint from chipping any further. The chair didn't have a back and I thought it would be easy to cut a primitive back of sorts fairly easy when the time came.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3X4A49YG0q4/Ug7CfuZDYKI/AAAAAAAAQCw/9qmsbvZznrs/s1600/IMG_7137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3X4A49YG0q4/Ug7CfuZDYKI/AAAAAAAAQCw/9qmsbvZznrs/s640/IMG_7137.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">But then I had another idea. Wouldn't it be sorta cool if there was a basket in place of the back? I know that's rendering it completely useless to sit on (although, not completely), but it would render it into a really interesting display for a deck or porch. I imagine geraniums or potted ferns in the basket-wouldn't that look cool?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Just for the record</i>: Justin does NOT think it's cool. He doesn't like the chippy paint or the basket idea....but I just reminded myself of what Eleanor Roosevelt said. <i>Do what you feel in your heart to be right-for you'll be criticized anyway.&nbsp; </i>That can apply to painted chairs right? ;)<br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKUYVOPf990/Ug7Ck5WLr3I/AAAAAAAAQC4/kuwMgcfRA4Y/s1600/IMG_7178-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKUYVOPf990/Ug7Ck5WLr3I/AAAAAAAAQC4/kuwMgcfRA4Y/s640/IMG_7178-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I went to Hobby Lobby and found a basket about the same size as the backing space and tied it on with some jute twine-completely temporary. I might cut a back for it, but for now, it's a cooky flower-basket-UK-flag-chair-thing. The Queen can thank me later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UKVGlebwZM/Ug7Cne__3eI/AAAAAAAAQDA/EJpxqWihVec/s1600/IMG_7114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UKVGlebwZM/Ug7Cne__3eI/AAAAAAAAQDA/EJpxqWihVec/s640/IMG_7114.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Also going to the booth, a beautifully aged Texaco bucket. Nice and rusted to perfection, with no help from me.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbRqjIyfJA4/Ug7Cb-vFC8I/AAAAAAAAQCs/3VnxY34QDrg/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbRqjIyfJA4/Ug7Cb-vFC8I/AAAAAAAAQCs/3VnxY34QDrg/s640/IMG_7127.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought to myself, what else does my booth need for Fall 2013? A ginormous painted sign is what myself came up with.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ2qw_uok7U/Ug7CoyelJ4I/AAAAAAAAQDI/BUsDlLny770/s1600/IMG_7164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ2qw_uok7U/Ug7CoyelJ4I/AAAAAAAAQDI/BUsDlLny770/s640/IMG_7164.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Actually, it's a scrap piece of backer board that I had from another project (more on that later). I framed it out using tomato stakes of all things and went to town painting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v7OxW4DCGk8/Ug7CpmxwKaI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/st5ElbWOREc/s1600/IMG_7156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v7OxW4DCGk8/Ug7CpmxwKaI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/st5ElbWOREc/s640/IMG_7156.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;You guys have seen all my small versions of hand-painted signs, so I'm not going into the logistics and how-to's now, but this puppy is BIG and I'm hoping it will draw people in my booth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRuzyzH9VUc/Ug7CrI-3S1I/AAAAAAAAQDY/7VyZxXQrJHA/s1600/IMG_7158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRuzyzH9VUc/Ug7CrI-3S1I/AAAAAAAAQDY/7VyZxXQrJHA/s640/IMG_7158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Surprisingly, it didn't even take me that long to paint, the hand lettering part is the most time consuming. Not that I'm anti-stencil or con Silhouette machine, I just prefer hand lettering...just me a pencil, ruler and an eraser. If you'd like to see the tutorials click <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/rustic-hand-painted-sign.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/inspired-fall-sign-tutorial.html">HERE</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MfAZGzEz4Q/Ug7CsmbrN7I/AAAAAAAAQDg/aLJ0GHuydc4/s1600/IMG_7161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MfAZGzEz4Q/Ug7CsmbrN7I/AAAAAAAAQDg/aLJ0GHuydc4/s640/IMG_7161.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait to get everything in place at the booth and of course can't wait to show you. I've got some smalls going in too and of course Flowers!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFtzVLJmRZ0/Ug7Cu34RojI/AAAAAAAAQDo/MIOpjetNU_M/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFtzVLJmRZ0/Ug7Cu34RojI/AAAAAAAAQDo/MIOpjetNU_M/s640/IMG_7170.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll talk to you soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-crazy-uk-flag-chair-and-other-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-2273796150778795464Fri, 16 Aug 2013 16:58:00 +00002013-08-16T11:58:17.273-05:00Cancer DiaryHouston, We Have A Problem...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm learning very quickly that cancer trials are unpredictable. I was not prepared for that. Plain and simple. I am coming off of consistent chemotherapy for a year and 3 months....when I went to MD Anderson to see if I was eligible for this trial-I thought I'd be rolling on into the the next phase of trying to beat this thing. I haven't had chemo in 4 months and I'm a little scared. Just what are those tumors doing in there? I can feel the effects on most days as I've shared before...but I don't want to fade away while waiting for this trial to begin. I guess I am a little frustrated that the trip that I was to go on this week didn't work out.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was an oral chemo drug that I took daily (11 pills!) that has to be completely out of my system before the trial can begin and long story short...it isn't. So there has been hang ups on their end and I guess on my end too.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Justin and I were to leave on Tuesday and I was completely miserable at the thought of missing the kids first day of school. I'll just say it: stage 4 cancer makes you not.want.to.miss.a.thing....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So on Monday, I took the boys out to lunch to get some time in together before I was suppose to leave-thank you guys for suggesting that! Via Instagram, here we are, bellies full:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgK8L61iUhk/Ugw4ggYjZiI/AAAAAAAAQCA/i2Ud1OP9s2Q/s1600/2013-08-12_1376334309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgK8L61iUhk/Ugw4ggYjZiI/AAAAAAAAQCA/i2Ud1OP9s2Q/s640/2013-08-12_1376334309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Can you tell Keegan is just tolerating me? Ha) <i>sweetsomethingdesign</i> if you'd like to join me over on the gram.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The week before school, we ran up to Carthage to Precious Moments Chapel. I took some pictures of the boys and meandered through the chapel and grounds. It really is peaceful out there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r91laW1RKFY/UgV-V9CWacI/AAAAAAAAQAo/7SPQMpLc3vA/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r91laW1RKFY/UgV-V9CWacI/AAAAAAAAQAo/7SPQMpLc3vA/s640/IMG_6865.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToU-eyWBYSA/UgV-Wg5xz1I/AAAAAAAAQAs/Iof8y6emF_A/s1600/IMG_6840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToU-eyWBYSA/UgV-Wg5xz1I/AAAAAAAAQAs/Iof8y6emF_A/s640/IMG_6840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But guys. I didn't miss the first day of school. That is what good came out of the appointment falling through. I might of cried a little. My boys are growing so fast! I had the Houston trip on my mind so much that I've been a picture taking fool (not that I'm not anyway). I figured, why stress myself out just getting pictures on "the first day of school"....I'm dedicating the whole week to getting pictures. I'm just glad I'm here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9JCW6sB7LA/Ugw22pW4u0I/AAAAAAAAQBo/U0KwZQdjdW8/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9JCW6sB7LA/Ugw22pW4u0I/AAAAAAAAQBo/U0KwZQdjdW8/s640/IMG_7071.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um6FvnD3tEY/Ugw23bNFdvI/AAAAAAAAQBw/ZDOR1NhEfq0/s1600/IMG_7093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um6FvnD3tEY/Ugw23bNFdvI/AAAAAAAAQBw/ZDOR1NhEfq0/s640/IMG_7093.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to get some good photos of Keegan, probably this weekend. Right after school is football practice so I haven't been able to get him where he's not too exhausted for pictures.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, my sweet potato vine is massive! It has completely taken over the walk way and swallowed up even the birdbath. I love it though and we've just been walking around it on a small little strip of walkway. The green is SO bright and fresh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rvgigng9v0/Ugw4nmK7ipI/AAAAAAAAQCI/Fhi548kMIa4/s1600/2013-08-08_1375921448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rvgigng9v0/Ugw4nmK7ipI/AAAAAAAAQCI/Fhi548kMIa4/s640/2013-08-08_1375921448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to say a few things too, since this post is completely wishy-washy and sporadic anyway. I get emails often asking questions about projects here and there, how I did this or that and I answer....but then I get another email apologizing that they read further about the cancer and all....don't be sorry! I can still answer questions and help as much as I can. Now when I was going through chemo and in bed for days at a time, that was different-but I'm not bed ridden or anything I still do laundry and dishes (ugh), I can answer your questions. I just wanted to say that. If I feel like&nbsp; I can't blog/answer emails at all, I'll just say so. Having said that, I know I don't post very often any more and when I do it's usually updates on my health...so thank you all for sticking around. Do I miss decorating, tablescapes and projects-YES! But this is what it is right now so I'm dealing. I appreciate the prayers and encouragement, you all help me so, so much. Know that. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/houston-we-have-problem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-7158097081558516323Fri, 09 Aug 2013 14:00:00 +00002013-08-09T09:00:00.671-05:00chalkboard paintDIYfabrictraytutorialA couple of Trays...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I was out and about the other day and found these dated, yet useful looking trays. I thought with a little bit of work, I could sell them in my booth.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHh4g_UzOAY/UgQ9cS5snJI/AAAAAAAAP-U/C1a8-XfT7ys/s1600/IMG_7020-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHh4g_UzOAY/UgQ9cS5snJI/AAAAAAAAP-U/C1a8-XfT7ys/s640/IMG_7020-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">They've got nice handles, quite sizable, but came with a...I'm guessing 90's...quilted fabric lining. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5UcwpP7wyg/UgQ9eB9jWOI/AAAAAAAAP-Y/FvsNPGzVhy0/s1600/IMG_6986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5UcwpP7wyg/UgQ9eB9jWOI/AAAAAAAAP-Y/FvsNPGzVhy0/s640/IMG_6986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Once I decided to update the fabric, I realized that the wooden bottom would take chalkboard paint very well. With a small brush I carefully went around the edge...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b3qkVRC3KU/UgQ9fmop57I/AAAAAAAAP-g/cSLkPnXB41Y/s1600/IMG_6995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b3qkVRC3KU/UgQ9fmop57I/AAAAAAAAP-g/cSLkPnXB41Y/s640/IMG_6995.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;...then rolled in the rest of the bottom</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cTbp2NcGl0/UgQ9gU4PFCI/AAAAAAAAP-o/RdKmzw7Cb5I/s1600/IMG_6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cTbp2NcGl0/UgQ9gU4PFCI/AAAAAAAAP-o/RdKmzw7Cb5I/s640/IMG_6999.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;For the "new" fabric, I used a couple of napkins that I've had for a while from Target.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z2NBHhBsOI/UgQ9hsnu0KI/AAAAAAAAP-w/ZTirAmf33Lc/s1600/IMG_7005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z2NBHhBsOI/UgQ9hsnu0KI/AAAAAAAAP-w/ZTirAmf33Lc/s640/IMG_7005.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I used the lining as a pattern and cut the napkin. I sewed the new fabric to the old lining (I don't trust my sewing skills to make a completely new lining), threw them in the wash hoping to make it look like a rag quilt (after snipping all the way around).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDN57tU94mA/UgQ9iPRtPYI/AAAAAAAAP-4/hwdLl98Zq0k/s1600/IMG_7008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDN57tU94mA/UgQ9iPRtPYI/AAAAAAAAP-4/hwdLl98Zq0k/s640/IMG_7008.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">It didn't quite fray like I wanted, but I think a couple more washing will do the trick.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vY8nTo0bDs/UgQ9oCEp-BI/AAAAAAAAP_A/vI7Y1IAgbr4/s1600/IMG_7016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vY8nTo0bDs/UgQ9oCEp-BI/AAAAAAAAP_A/vI7Y1IAgbr4/s640/IMG_7016.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I had the chalkboard paint out, I painted an old vase and let Logan draw whatever he wanted on it. Are you like me, once the chalkboard paint is out, you're on the hunt to see what all can be painted like a mad dog?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ5OD85tJrE/UgQ9paJx2fI/AAAAAAAAP_I/TfjObuyalzQ/s1600/IMG_7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ5OD85tJrE/UgQ9paJx2fI/AAAAAAAAP_I/TfjObuyalzQ/s640/IMG_7001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">He drew every family member, which I thought was really cute</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omjg1kelumw/UgQ9qF304fI/AAAAAAAAP_Q/3tsfrr3hzes/s1600/IMG_7014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omjg1kelumw/UgQ9qF304fI/AAAAAAAAP_Q/3tsfrr3hzes/s640/IMG_7014.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">So with or without the lining, I think they are definitely updated. I could see them hung on the wall with the dinner menu too!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">A twofer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9EwYdgPLlM/UgQ9wiGBFMI/AAAAAAAAP_Y/-8lYSvM5Vlg/s1600/IMG_7015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9EwYdgPLlM/UgQ9wiGBFMI/AAAAAAAAP_Y/-8lYSvM5Vlg/s640/IMG_7015.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPl-Qg1e8Ys/UgQ92hw8MnI/AAAAAAAAP_g/VsxyEAJY2RE/s1600/IMG_7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPl-Qg1e8Ys/UgQ92hw8MnI/AAAAAAAAP_g/VsxyEAJY2RE/s640/IMG_7011.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I'm suppose to be going back to Houston for 3 days next week to start the trial. I am excited, but really upset that it happens to fall on the same day school starts. So I won't see my baby's first day of second grade or watch Keegan drive off to start his Junior year. No pictures or hugs which I insist on every year. Even last year, even though I had chemo, at least we got pictures. Is that dumb that I'm bummed about this? Probably. I'm to start a drug that could potentially save my life, but I will miss the kids first day of school....I know, I'm a nut case.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I'll let you know how it goes when I get back. Talk to you later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-couple-of-trays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-8232365302659270220Wed, 17 Jul 2013 14:00:00 +00002013-07-17T09:00:03.510-05:00DIYsigntutorialvintageDIY Junk Sign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHxlano6wJs/UeXxjkVCVZI/AAAAAAAAP8o/1RcNOiZTGtY/s1600/IMG_6815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHxlano6wJs/UeXxjkVCVZI/AAAAAAAAP8o/1RcNOiZTGtY/s640/IMG_6815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Man, It's been a while since I've done a project! I felt pretty good this past couple of days and decided to make this little sign as a gift for a dear friend (don't we all need a reminder to keep dreaming??) I've always admired the 'altered' signs, I just think they look really cool...and it was really easy once I gathered everything I needed. Lucky for me, we went to the Joplin Vintage Market this past weekend and there was a fantastic vendor that had practically anything you could need in salvaged goods (most of them did). Letters, old license plates, chandy crystals, marquee signs, toys, books....all sorts of things. I spent some time picking out letters to spell 'Dream'. The 'D' is not old, I picked it up at Hobby Lobby to mix it up even more and add a little dimension.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So a few things you'll need...although you can completely customize and change it to fit what you find, or the word you chose.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-A mix of letters spelling your choice of word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-A piece of pallet wood or salvaged wood that is big enough for your word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-2 New or old knobs (optional)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-Jute twine (optional)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-E6000 (or your choice of glue) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Letters:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u4BsJKIURE/UeXxktv2leI/AAAAAAAAP8w/VGCRelYBPAM/s1600/IMG_6791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u4BsJKIURE/UeXxktv2leI/AAAAAAAAP8w/VGCRelYBPAM/s640/IMG_6791.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Pallet wood:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ulJaY1ktDM/UeXxk6Ogt3I/AAAAAAAAP80/cp-rHNXCdgg/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ulJaY1ktDM/UeXxk6Ogt3I/AAAAAAAAP80/cp-rHNXCdgg/s640/IMG_6789.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Place the letters fairly centered&nbsp; and straight on the board (or slanted would be neat too) and glue them in place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie439k0XVu4/UeXxmrQZFTI/AAAAAAAAP9A/vlPuETH8sRQ/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie439k0XVu4/UeXxmrQZFTI/AAAAAAAAP9A/vlPuETH8sRQ/s640/IMG_6793.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">The license plate letter I picked out was a little too big, but a a pair of pliers bent it around the board and it worked out pretty good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAcGqEFtFcw/UeXxnWOf1TI/AAAAAAAAP9I/0KcvmdhCkNI/s1600/IMG_6798-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAcGqEFtFcw/UeXxnWOf1TI/AAAAAAAAP9I/0KcvmdhCkNI/s640/IMG_6798-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I found the glass knobs at Hobby Lobby and used them as a means to hang the sign. This is completely up to you though, a saw tooth hanger on the back works just as well. Measure enough jute twine to hang the sign and tie around the knobs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wskZIsJhsfs/UeXxoEPxOCI/AAAAAAAAP9Q/_ORh_hK7NeM/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wskZIsJhsfs/UeXxoEPxOCI/AAAAAAAAP9Q/_ORh_hK7NeM/s640/IMG_6799.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Was that easy or what? :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTZW0-PImKA/UeXxqH6icjI/AAAAAAAAP9Y/0Pg7akxDKQQ/s1600/IMG_6806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTZW0-PImKA/UeXxqH6icjI/AAAAAAAAP9Y/0Pg7akxDKQQ/s640/IMG_6806.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I think the only thing that would present a challenge is finding a variety of letters.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKTGhTdj9jQ/UeXxr1dNv2I/AAAAAAAAP9g/t5RxqCUieAA/s1600/IMG_6810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKTGhTdj9jQ/UeXxr1dNv2I/AAAAAAAAP9g/t5RxqCUieAA/s640/IMG_6810.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I hope she likes it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnzaZAaXv4I/UeXxsf4qt2I/AAAAAAAAP9o/2sEkx0uy7IE/s1600/IMG_6814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnzaZAaXv4I/UeXxsf4qt2I/AAAAAAAAP9o/2sEkx0uy7IE/s640/IMG_6814.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;***</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I want to thank you all for the love and support in light of my recent news...as far as how I've been feeling, I've had some good days and bad days (don't we all?!). Shortness of breath and general abdomen pain is a constant...but that is where the tumors are, so it's to be expected. The trial at MD Anderson will hopefully be starting soon. I learned last week that they have temporarily put it on hold, but I'm praying whatever problems they are having that it works out before I am suppose to go back. Again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In kitchen news, the cabinets are all purchased and Justin will be putting them in soon and then I'll be painting them....it's going slower than expected, but that's ok.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've also started thinking about Fall for my booth space and really excited about the plans I've got scheming! It is crazy to be thinking of Fall in 90+ degree weather, but I absolutely have to plan ahead. I found a book shelf (about 5' high) that I can't decide whether to paint or not and I'm revamping the armoire that&nbsp; use to be in Logan's room when he was a baby. Lots of little things happening all at once, some things never change.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-junk-sign.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-1274310975969109316Tue, 25 Jun 2013 21:31:00 +00002013-09-01T07:35:42.032-05:00Cancer DiaryUpdate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bpRUC1f1sTE/Ucm8Cru88GI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/nbL7J7AjXJM/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bpRUC1f1sTE/Ucm8Cru88GI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/nbL7J7AjXJM/s640/IMG_5535.JPG" width="426" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's start with a pretty picture, shall we (taken on my trip home)? It's been over a month since I've sat down to type, but I felt today was a good day to write, so here I am. I think the last time I left you I was due for my next chemo treatment....We'll start from there.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along with chemo I was to see the doctor to find out the results of my latest CT scan. I saw the doctor first and I will just blurt it out, the cancer has spread and gotten larger, especially on my lungs. The chemotherapy is just not working. So I didn't even get chemo that day...what for? It's not doing it's job so why go through the process? Since this regimen was the last line of treatment (and it won't be continued), this is basically it and at the rate of growth, the doctor gives me less than a year to live.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can imagine that I wasn't very happy, I'm not happy, in fact like a blubbering mess. Since the oncologist here can't do anything further, he referred me to MD Anderson which is a cancer center in Houston Texas. Have you heard of it? I never had. It's a world class teaching hospital that has lots of trials. I had my records and scans sent over to Houston and within 2 weeks, my MIL and I drove to Houston to see these new doctors. I should mention that the trial I was waiting for at NIH ended! SO MD Anderson became front and center.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw the doctors and they think I am perfect for a trial that is starting almost immediately. It is just a pill, but it's never been tested on humans so basically no one knows how I will react or tolerate the pill...but I've got to try something. Unlike the doctor here, they didn't want to put a "time" on my life expectancy. What I'm trying to focus on is that this pill is for my type of cancer and maybe it will work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am also working very hard on giving this burden to God. He can certainly handle it better than I can, but as soon as the "less than a year to live" came out it suddenly became very hard. Isn't that strange? I guess when I take my eyes off Him, my weaknesses/sickness become VERY obvious and it's hard to remember that he is strong and this is an opportunity to show His strength. Not in me, not in the doctors, not in a little pill but what He can do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I go back to Houston in less than a month once a week for a month, then every other week for a month, then finally once a month. I don't know how long it will last, I suppose it will be based on how the cancer reacts and I tolerate this mysterious pill. Between now and then and I am just going to enjoy the summer, work on the kitchen project (which is going VERY slow, BTW ;) and maybe devote some time to wreaths. Whatever I can do. I don't plan on this much time elapsing between writings either, but I'm sure you guys understand. I will talk to you soon. Thanks for being here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"> <img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"></a>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/06/update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-4263076999187871593Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 +00002013-05-20T06:00:03.479-05:00burlapdisplayDIYinspirationspray paintstarfishsummertutorialDIY Starfish Art<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since Summer is quickly approaching, this project would be a great way to add a beachy feel to your decor. A really easy technique that can be accomplished with any variety of starfish and of course any size frame. Also, I chose burlap for the background, but you could use any cloth you like.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ad0j6MSWddo/UZky2o6T0BI/AAAAAAAAP7w/UpgO_HnlhZQ/s1600/IMG_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ad0j6MSWddo/UZky2o6T0BI/AAAAAAAAP7w/UpgO_HnlhZQ/s640/IMG_5343.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This frame was a steal at the thrift store and I grabbed it up because 1.) It is a great size, 2.) Came with matting, and 3.) Has a great paintable frame in a style I like.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykoWUSmbPEc/UXcaG9AVznI/AAAAAAAAPyE/HH4WkIB3wgM/s1600/IMG_5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykoWUSmbPEc/UXcaG9AVznI/AAAAAAAAPyE/HH4WkIB3wgM/s640/IMG_5230.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I found this bad of starfish at TJ Maxx and I grabbed it up thinking I would use them for bowl fillers, but then this art project came to mind-luckily, they was enough left over to do both.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1Wa2XhuICQ/UXcaI4CNPfI/AAAAAAAAPyM/gcY8CSXpTJw/s1600/IMG_5236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1Wa2XhuICQ/UXcaI4CNPfI/AAAAAAAAPyM/gcY8CSXpTJw/s640/IMG_5236.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">First, I spray painted the frame in a glossy black, then proceeded to do a dry run with the starfish. Keep in mind to use starfish close in size for a nice uniform look.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a63HZ5pgsvE/UXcaJvSfIvI/AAAAAAAAPyU/wFhJe3n1RrA/s1600/IMG_5238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a63HZ5pgsvE/UXcaJvSfIvI/AAAAAAAAPyU/wFhJe3n1RrA/s640/IMG_5238.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I<span style="font-size: large;"> de</span>cided to use burlap in the background, so after finding the perfect starfish, I used Mod Podge to adhere the burlap to the foam core that came with the frame. You can also use spray adhesive......</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pD1FXtRq6Us/UXcaMhgXbEI/AAAAAAAAPyc/8t7NItHQauM/s1600/IMG_5287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pD1FXtRq6Us/UXcaMhgXbEI/AAAAAAAAPyc/8t7NItHQauM/s640/IMG_5287.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">...just remember to cut your cloth bigger than the matting.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMmEqYQGOIY/UXcaNHS4DiI/AAAAAAAAPyk/ShBDre9zLzg/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMmEqYQGOIY/UXcaNHS4DiI/AAAAAAAAPyk/ShBDre9zLzg/s640/IMG_5283.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, with a glue gun, glue down the starfish. It will depend on the size frame you find or have, but 6 is what I used and it wasn't too crowded. I tucked a couple of vintage postcards under the matting, but you can use pictures, or leave it without...since the glass isn't there, why not stick some extra memorabilia in there! Completely optional.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJWqim4_Q3M/UXcaOzLQ0-I/AAAAAAAAPys/J2Y5v72PFhk/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJWqim4_Q3M/UXcaOzLQ0-I/AAAAAAAAPys/J2Y5v72PFhk/s640/IMG_5338.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I figure I will use the glass in a different project, <b><i>the glass that came in the frame isn't used with this project</i></b>-unless you use a shadow box style frame, which would look great too.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJPQPJtO1lE/UXcaSYzJy3I/AAAAAAAAPy0/6O308_B9VOA/s1600/IMG_5326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJPQPJtO1lE/UXcaSYzJy3I/AAAAAAAAPy0/6O308_B9VOA/s640/IMG_5326.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Such an easy project! You can have this done under an hour...depending on the spray paint you use. ;)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0nnAsqnNvt0/UXcaU091pCI/AAAAAAAAPy8/BZoN_31q9uw/s1600/IMG_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0nnAsqnNvt0/UXcaU091pCI/AAAAAAAAPy8/BZoN_31q9uw/s640/IMG_5340.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhGJBauqIJg/UZk6EAGM5EI/AAAAAAAAP78/qmd2cjqIWBQ/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhGJBauqIJg/UZk6EAGM5EI/AAAAAAAAP78/qmd2cjqIWBQ/s640/IMG_5325.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I am getting chemo this morning, so I will talk to you much later. Hope you will give this project a try! Happy Summer!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/diy-starfish-art.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-460733160032336291Sat, 18 May 2013 15:35:00 +00002013-05-18T10:35:42.625-05:00My Quick Trip To NC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRUvFpCW8xA/UZd9yntepoI/AAAAAAAAP6w/-OUCQpsBdhQ/s1600/IMG_5509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRUvFpCW8xA/UZd9yntepoI/AAAAAAAAP6w/-OUCQpsBdhQ/s640/IMG_5509.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;When I found out that my nephew, Michael, was graduating...I knew I couldn't miss it. I was there when that child was born, I wasn't about to miss this huge milestone!! So even though I had chemo on the Monday before his event, I went ahead and booked a plane home. My home. North Carolina. Yep. the home that as a kid couldn't wait to get out of, runs to every chance I get.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My doctor gave me one of those Michelle-Edwards-has-cancer-letters to use at the airport, you know so I could get from gate to gate on one of those little glorified golf carts and wheelchairs from here to there, but I refused to use it. Stubborn much? Why yes, yes I am. I did not show anyone my little letter, but kept it close just in case. Actually the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport is quite easy to navigate...they even have those fast walking track things that helped me a lot...so while I watched other people whiz by me, much like what I would have been doing 2 years ago, I paced myself and made it to each gate at both airports without a hitch. My disease did not win that day...cancer 0-stubborn streak-1.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My sister picked me up at the airport and the adventure didn't stop until I left.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you are with me on Instagram, you saw some more detailed pictures, but being home, with my family, near the ocean makes my heart sing.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The water is a little too cold still but the weather was wonderful. &nbsp; </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBrrXALaO9g/UZd9-sUihhI/AAAAAAAAP64/X56L9ncRx80/s1600/IMG_5556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBrrXALaO9g/UZd9-sUihhI/AAAAAAAAP64/X56L9ncRx80/s640/IMG_5556.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">We headed to Greenville to watch our dear Michael graduate. Here is my version of "Where's <strike>Waldo</strike> Michael"&nbsp; :) Here's a hint: he's the only one in a bow tie! Love it!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZvzGFdBrz8/UZd-Q5bCXLI/AAAAAAAAP7A/IdzjDQFycYY/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZvzGFdBrz8/UZd-Q5bCXLI/AAAAAAAAP7A/IdzjDQFycYY/s640/IMG_5821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Of course there was a little party to celebrate too</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjGSTByI3ig/UZd-oqYsgCI/AAAAAAAAP7Q/LWtnF8zAd2w/s1600/IMG_5659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjGSTByI3ig/UZd-oqYsgCI/AAAAAAAAP7Q/LWtnF8zAd2w/s640/IMG_5659.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Proud Momma (my sister) and Michael.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_ztbHKGT_s/UZd-qaaNe1I/AAAAAAAAP7Y/qqub5mBcPwk/s1600/IMG_5898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_ztbHKGT_s/UZd-qaaNe1I/AAAAAAAAP7Y/qqub5mBcPwk/s640/IMG_5898.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">My sister and I kissing the graduate</span>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rip4kqZuNhM/UZd-WFlQD3I/AAAAAAAAP7I/DcDhGOecihs/s1600/IMG_6096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rip4kqZuNhM/UZd-WFlQD3I/AAAAAAAAP7I/DcDhGOecihs/s640/IMG_6096.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Michael, I know you don't read my blog, but my heart is just bursting with pride. I am so proud of the man you have become and so honored to have witnessed you grow up and accomplish SO much already. I can't wait to see what the future brings. You are an amazing person and you inspire me! -Love Always Shell.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have chemo on Monday (seems like I'm always saying that), so I probably won't be online again for a while. Summer is starting, the weather is heating up and it's my favorite time of year!&nbsp; This short hair is going to be great during the summer-ha! Talk to you soon!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't already, look me up on Instagram or Facebook, I'd love to see you there.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-quick-trip-to-nc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-4585207421757703737Mon, 06 May 2013 12:30:00 +00002013-05-06T07:30:01.362-05:00blueinspirationpainted furnituretableEmbrace Color With Furniture Pieces<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been reading for even just a little while, you know that I have a booth space. It's not huge, but when I see a piece of furniture I snatch it up...just like this table. I have to love it, of course, and usually want it for myself, but that's the trick you see...you can't save the good stuff for yourself. :)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It seems like every time I paint a piece a bold color, it sells....so I just follow my heart, listen to my gut and let the piece tell me what color it wants to be. This can be hard sometimes...<i>"Will it sell?"</i>,<i> "What if no one likes that color"</i>,<i> "What will people think?"</i>...these are the questions that ALWAYS surface when I see a piece of furniture that I'm considering for my booth.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But I try to smoosh the fear, wipe off the bottom of my shoe and go for it. I'm not saying it's easy, but just like the Artist, the biggest fear is a white canvas...you just gotta do it-just start. That's what Mrs. Hile taught me in college anyway.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUYzxk2tyBM/UYReC4RoQbI/AAAAAAAAP2k/V2SfNRgzQgk/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUYzxk2tyBM/UYReC4RoQbI/AAAAAAAAP2k/V2SfNRgzQgk/s640/IMG_5428.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So this is how this little piece started. Gorgeous legs, fantastic shape is what you see, but in addition....damaged top, some gouges, and extremely dry wood-just begging for a nice layer of paint....it's the body lotion for wood ;)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Bcw6SrXojo/UYReEFL_qcI/AAAAAAAAP2s/kKEctUo2er0/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Bcw6SrXojo/UYReEFL_qcI/AAAAAAAAP2s/kKEctUo2er0/s640/IMG_5215.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Love the turned detail and cross members.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NX9OnFBbyfk/UYReF1iW-DI/AAAAAAAAP24/W_jx8uCWptM/s1600/IMG_5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NX9OnFBbyfk/UYReF1iW-DI/AAAAAAAAP24/W_jx8uCWptM/s640/IMG_5216.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">When I'm busy<i> listening</i> to the piece, I'm also thinking about the method of painting. I'm not a member of any particular camp, I spray, I hand paint, I use foam rollers, brushes...I'm like Switzerland. Neutral.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever gets the job done.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When a piece is small and has lots of turned details like this table, spray painting is usually what I decide on. It just makes my life easier and really, can you imagine hand painting those legs? </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiyqudAhEuY/UYReGKTid6I/AAAAAAAAP28/gOyCJ-MCdlQ/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiyqudAhEuY/UYReGKTid6I/AAAAAAAAP28/gOyCJ-MCdlQ/s640/IMG_5217.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I chose Blue Ocean Spray from Krylon for the color, I can't even count how many times I've used this color. It's right up there with Ivy leaf and they look great together too. I probably used three cans of paint in total.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7pUSSnY3YU/UYReG99I7FI/AAAAAAAAP3E/qO2X1pODxtk/s1600/IMG_5424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7pUSSnY3YU/UYReG99I7FI/AAAAAAAAP3E/qO2X1pODxtk/s640/IMG_5424.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I contemplated leaving it nice and smooth, but because of the obvious age of the piece, it seemed like some distressing was in order. Plus, I think it makes people feel like they can live with a piece a little better when they're not stressed with a "perfect finish"...although I haven't always distressed-see? Neutral.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcp6MjMhum8/UYReIMYGHiI/AAAAAAAAP3M/kg8TDi56nt4/s1600/IMG_5442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcp6MjMhum8/UYReIMYGHiI/AAAAAAAAP3M/kg8TDi56nt4/s640/IMG_5442.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I did not do any repairing on the top either-I embraced the imperfections and that is okay.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUTVEfAs658/UYReIzck1ZI/AAAAAAAAP3U/w7nr9MVygzI/s1600/IMG_5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUTVEfAs658/UYReIzck1ZI/AAAAAAAAP3U/w7nr9MVygzI/s640/IMG_5452.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">150 grit sandpaper used for distressing the edges and legs.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmCv_k2Y7HU/UYReKY2swxI/AAAAAAAAP3c/RXPJ79nkPyQ/s1600/IMG_5465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmCv_k2Y7HU/UYReKY2swxI/AAAAAAAAP3c/RXPJ79nkPyQ/s640/IMG_5465.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">To knock the color down and stain the exposed wood (caused by the sanding), I used dark stain, just like the<a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-little-green-dresser-before-and.html"> little green dresser.</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz5guDdbvfE/UYReLpjR-uI/AAAAAAAAP3k/bZZN693p4RI/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz5guDdbvfE/UYReLpjR-uI/AAAAAAAAP3k/bZZN693p4RI/s640/IMG_5462.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Can I say how much I love this color? Go embrace <i>your</i> favorite color!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It's going to be hard to let this one go, but down to the booth she goes.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjfd5YUXQ-I/UYReN4S_f7I/AAAAAAAAP3s/QpBk_LnmEkU/s1600/IMG_5448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjfd5YUXQ-I/UYReN4S_f7I/AAAAAAAAP3s/QpBk_LnmEkU/s640/IMG_5448.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I am getting chemo today, then my trip, so I will not talk to you for a while. Thanks for being here anyway.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/embrace-color-with-furniture-pieces.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-4208112043399505040Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 +00002013-05-03T21:03:00.272-05:00dressergreeninspirationpainted furnituretutorialThe Little Green Dresser (A Before and After)<span style="font-size: large;">I<span style="font-size: large;"> di</span>dn't think we'd be talking again before my trip! However, I wanted to get a couple of furniture pieces done for my booth space before I left, and I am really excited about this little transformation.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahjMFCFaMQU/UYLcSJGe63I/AAAAAAAAP1Q/lFuYouSaTrU/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahjMFCFaMQU/UYLcSJGe63I/AAAAAAAAP1Q/lFuYouSaTrU/s640/IMG_5397.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I found this sad, poor little dresser and thought it needed me. ;) It's not an heirloom piece, just simple construction and lines and fairly small. It said "kids room" to me for sure. The finish was in horrible condition, so I basically just had to decide what color I wanted to paint it.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gphzMKL6rF0/UYLcUACfhTI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/3id0JtZmnV8/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gphzMKL6rF0/UYLcUACfhTI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/3id0JtZmnV8/s640/IMG_5028.JPG" width="406" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The top of the dresser was even worse...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJjrQoWp0QU/UYLcVsp-S4I/AAAAAAAAP1g/Ib0Y7hBRI20/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJjrQoWp0QU/UYLcVsp-S4I/AAAAAAAAP1g/Ib0Y7hBRI20/s640/IMG_5033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">You might be surprised, but I spray painted this piece (except for the top)! I used Ivy Leaf from Krylon, which is one of my all time favorite colors. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awBQ8WwpM2I/UYLcXfTjBZI/AAAAAAAAP1o/h4AWw-DtFN8/s1600/IMG_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awBQ8WwpM2I/UYLcXfTjBZI/AAAAAAAAP1o/h4AWw-DtFN8/s640/IMG_5387.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">With 150 grit sandpaper, I distressed the edges of the body and drawers. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ZU1TTWxWM/UYLcc6VEGoI/AAAAAAAAP1w/qonaT6lldfM/s1600/IMG_5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ZU1TTWxWM/UYLcc6VEGoI/AAAAAAAAP1w/qonaT6lldfM/s640/IMG_5395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Using Citrus Stripper, I stripped the top and re-stained it. Can you believe the renewal of the top, I was SO happy.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEt-q-UHjiA/UYLcgjNmTYI/AAAAAAAAP14/BapsTwbHrhk/s1600/IMG_5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEt-q-UHjiA/UYLcgjNmTYI/AAAAAAAAP14/BapsTwbHrhk/s640/IMG_5403.JPG" width="420" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I also used the stain over the whole piece to knock down the brightness and stain the exposed wood. Finally, I did a coat of poly just to seal everything up.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKxGS_x5sk0/UYLch0fiCaI/AAAAAAAAP2A/PPEz6ljsrEA/s1600/IMG_5417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKxGS_x5sk0/UYLch0fiCaI/AAAAAAAAP2A/PPEz6ljsrEA/s640/IMG_5417.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Do you like the new knobs??? I wanted to pump up the look of this piece even more and made a beeline to Hobby Lobby to check out knobs. I found these speckled ceramic knobs and stopped looking, I think they really make the dresser! Don't they look like bird eggs (or is that just me)?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn-Q7sxHOQg/UYLci4IPhgI/AAAAAAAAP2I/ok6sCF-LKqg/s1600/IMG_5409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn-Q7sxHOQg/UYLci4IPhgI/AAAAAAAAP2I/ok6sCF-LKqg/s640/IMG_5409.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">So off to the booth she goes, and hopefully to a good home.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wW5n5ZSl7YY/UYLckGE4DKI/AAAAAAAAP2Q/QiH1URPMJWI/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wW5n5ZSl7YY/UYLckGE4DKI/AAAAAAAAP2Q/QiH1URPMJWI/s640/IMG_5388.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><a href="http://missmustardseed.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Joining Miss Mustard Seed</span></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-little-green-dresser-before-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-3696363052265135641Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:26:00 +00002013-04-28T21:41:01.307-05:00craftDIYinspirationpicturestutorialDIY Photo Canvas (Great Gift For Mother's Day)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwSAXLMcXRA/UXsCtwHL8jI/AAAAAAAAP0c/EqOlyGRh8XQ/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwSAXLMcXRA/UXsCtwHL8jI/AAAAAAAAP0c/EqOlyGRh8XQ/s640/IMG_5375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I wanted to share this project with you well in advance, because this would make <i>PERFECT</i> Mother's Day Gifts. Actually, I think they would make a perfect gift for anytime. The beauty of this project is you can make it your own and do all sorts of embellishing...or none at all....with any kind of picture...B&amp;W like I've done or color. Anything is a go.&nbsp; <br />The basic materials you absolutely need: <i>Home</i> Inkjet Printer, Pre-stretched canvas <b><i>8X10 or smaller</i></b> via Michael's on sale (I did several different sizes and depths), 8 1/2" X 11 Canvas Cloths (Office Depot-Under $20 for 10 sheets), Paper Trimmer, Mod Podge, Black Craft Paint (paint brush).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gVNByvuzow/UXsCfv-N2KI/AAAAAAAAPzc/wMeZ0v7wWbg/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gVNByvuzow/UXsCfv-N2KI/AAAAAAAAPzc/wMeZ0v7wWbg/s640/IMG_5351.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">First, after opening each canvas, paint the edges black. Don't worry about the front, the photo will cover that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wdxn8TNTPc/UXsCgvnuFII/AAAAAAAAPzk/3jmyGXDMTSM/s1600/IMG_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wdxn8TNTPc/UXsCgvnuFII/AAAAAAAAPzk/3jmyGXDMTSM/s640/IMG_5353.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">While the paint is drying, print your selected pictures out on the canvas cloth. It runs through the printer just as good as paper. <i>Tip: I did one print at a time to avoid jams in the printer.</i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I know you can't tell in the picture, but the photos have the great texture of canvas vs. smooth/shiny like photo paper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UK23D9VP88/UXsCiGrx2xI/AAAAAAAAPzs/4yPt1sMyy3Y/s1600/IMG_5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UK23D9VP88/UXsCiGrx2xI/AAAAAAAAPzs/4yPt1sMyy3Y/s640/IMG_5356.JPG" width="548" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Cut pictures down to the size of each canvas using the paper trimmer. Next, use Mod Podge to attach the photo to the canvas. Just spread a thin coat on the front (the part you didn't paint), it doesn't take much and be sure to smooth it out with your hands to avoid air bubbles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vI-4LBSv1Q/UXsCmQOFZSI/AAAAAAAAPz0/3QYqhXpXqCI/s1600/IMG_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vI-4LBSv1Q/UXsCmQOFZSI/AAAAAAAAPz0/3QYqhXpXqCI/s640/IMG_5361.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;This next step is completely optional, but I think it gives the canvas a nice finished edge. I took a black ink pad (the type used for rubber stamping) and ran it along the edge of each canvas...it gives it a nice soft, slightly distressed edge. Compare the edge above with the ones below....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cAih-mxOtI/UXsCnUq6qcI/AAAAAAAAPz8/XrMTta3Knvo/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cAih-mxOtI/UXsCnUq6qcI/AAAAAAAAPz8/XrMTta3Knvo/s640/IMG_5364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Once everything is dry, do a coat of Mod Podge over everything. This will seal and protect the paint, ink and canvas cloth.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V75hbQcVQQo/UXsCojUXhvI/AAAAAAAAP0E/dskUhADx3ys/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V75hbQcVQQo/UXsCojUXhvI/AAAAAAAAP0E/dskUhADx3ys/s640/IMG_5367.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Another optional step is the embellishing. I did some subtle embellishing (especially for the boys) using supplies out of the craft closet to personalize each canvas...I used an initial on everyone's. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MY5DPUlzJis/UXsCpsv61VI/AAAAAAAAP0M/j1eARaBzzQE/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MY5DPUlzJis/UXsCpsv61VI/AAAAAAAAP0M/j1eARaBzzQE/s640/IMG_5368.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">You can do as little or as much as you'd like, completely up to you. The thicker ones are great shelf sitters or they can be hung too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r07zkB_ifyY/UXsCrajM5sI/AAAAAAAAP0U/3OJtPXbnqd0/s1600/IMG_5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r07zkB_ifyY/UXsCrajM5sI/AAAAAAAAP0U/3OJtPXbnqd0/s640/IMG_5371.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I think the embellishing depends on the picture...if I were doing pictures of flowers, I probably would not embellish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJEoI3-j9Wc/UXsCt0xPxMI/AAAAAAAAP0g/3uYkBMRA3Fo/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJEoI3-j9Wc/UXsCt0xPxMI/AAAAAAAAP0g/3uYkBMRA3Fo/s640/IMG_5374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I also did a little extra girly embellishing on my nieces canvas</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jfq5sz-2Nk/UXsCuvgw4SI/AAAAAAAAP0s/4k_Rmli8504/s1600/IMG_5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jfq5sz-2Nk/UXsCuvgw4SI/AAAAAAAAP0s/4k_Rmli8504/s640/IMG_5377.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you decide to do, the recipient will be thrilled!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="By Stephanie Lynn" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/website/bsl_sundayshowcase_zpsa4163b21.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will talk to you when I get back from NC!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-photo-canvas-great-gift-for-mothers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-7385669896407059436Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:41:00 +00002013-04-19T09:41:14.332-05:00Spring Mantlescape 2013 (and other things)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No? Me neither.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not happy. No hand clapping here. I am so burdened with the recent events, how can one blog? When is the appropriate time, how much time should elapse...I haven't blogged in over 2 weeks, does that count? I'm not blogging about the tragedies, does that make me a bad person....that I like to hide my insecurities and bravely show the world my accomplishments?&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you can call a mantlescape an accomplishment, that toys are not strewn about and dust bunnies are dethroned for the moment an accomplishment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Believe me, I am praying and have a broken heart for my fellow Americans, and I am <b>NOT </b>part of the camp that maintains that if it didn't happen to me it didn't happen at all....I'm one of those people that have to be reminded to carry on. Lord, I could go from 9/11 through Newtown (and prior, I know) and discuss the effects but (and here I go again) since being diagnosed with a incurable disease, I know that you have to put one foot in front of the other and move forward because we have to learn from the mistakes....don't we? Yes. We have to sustain. Yes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've gotten hardly anything done on the <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/kitchen-facelift-phase-2-plan.html">kitchen project </a>and I'm and not ashamed. Between chemo treatments, blood transfusions and of course recuperating, not to be confused with sleeping....I've been going to the movies and shopping for my booth. What really gets my goat is that I have not done any wreaths for my Etsy. That really ticks me off. Wreaths are one of my most favorite things to do!! I have not learned to balance it all and it is so frustrating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have had , for lack of better word, a blank mantle since Christmas-egad! Use to, I'd have changed it 3 times by now.....no since thinking about the the 'use-to's' in my life...this is the right now and present and <i>I got a&nbsp; mantlescape.</i> Ta-da. I can still decorate, cancer has not taken that ability, thank God...It's not like I've got math to fall back on....&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEWZ2gvEAEM/UXFDvQV4ajI/AAAAAAAAPxc/UshzMS_AseI/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEWZ2gvEAEM/UXFDvQV4ajI/AAAAAAAAPxc/UshzMS_AseI/s640/IMG_5247.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found these beautiful peonies, silk, of course, and they inspired me....along with the brass findings. Will I ever buy new again? ;) The mirror never changes, that bugger is too heavy...but I did more of a collected look than my normal formula.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIc3G3MR1U/UXA6264zV0I/AAAAAAAAPvI/xGfvxfiV4xE/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIc3G3MR1U/UXA6264zV0I/AAAAAAAAPvI/xGfvxfiV4xE/s640/IMG_5272.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-i-spent-my-homegoods-giftcards.html">turquoise vases, you remember those right</a>? I had those in my bedroom and brought them back out....this time with no curly willow and flowers in one....I just left the lids on.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM1nXyiBT-U/UXA647kT0MI/AAAAAAAAPvQ/LQuf0cYAolo/s1600/IMG_5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM1nXyiBT-U/UXA647kT0MI/AAAAAAAAPvQ/LQuf0cYAolo/s640/IMG_5273.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And books, I know, old school right? Been done a million times, but I'm getting such a nice collection of old books going and the mantle is certainly a place to showcase them. I love reading through them, if you are with me an Instagram, you saw a passage from&nbsp; an old book, c.1935, called<i> The Falmouth Survey of Professional Practices </i>(oddly the Falmouth Institute is in Boston, Mass.). It discusses personalities in professional settings and the studies that go along with it...I found it very interesting. It has a list of introvert characteristics (among other things) and believe me, they haven't changed much...<i>#13. The introvert daydreams a great deal.</i> Truer words have...well, you know.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how I got off on that....accessories! Brass. A dirty word to me a few years ago.....although I was knee deep in it back in the 90's but somehow I became anti-brass....I suppose the ebb and flow of the design world....but now, I have no problem mixing metals...and old brass is what I'm gravitating towards. My MIL is still in shock, you have no idea how anti-brass I was....however, I still exhort that shiny stuff...I'm talking about the old worn, tarnished stuff that you find on the bottom shelf in the back of the antique mall. Case in point; that loverly brass tray: <i>Hello!</i> Little brass etched vases: How<i> you </i>doin'!</span> Said in my best Joey voice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP2dKSg58aM/UXA66CfF9EI/AAAAAAAAPvY/UQOxpw26FeE/s1600/IMG_5270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP2dKSg58aM/UXA66CfF9EI/AAAAAAAAPvY/UQOxpw26FeE/s640/IMG_5270.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fuchsia peonies look fantastic in brass as well, and then of course you can't beat fuchsia and turquoise together. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsSnxyviJfY/UXA66qXNZdI/AAAAAAAAPvg/LEMs7gpa0sk/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsSnxyviJfY/UXA66qXNZdI/AAAAAAAAPvg/LEMs7gpa0sk/s640/IMG_5271.JPG" width="426" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Am I weary of orange yet? Nope, not yet, it's still a present color in the way of accessories and such.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found that graphic pillow at Big Lots. It does a great job of lightening up the charcoal fabric on the chair....not to mention speaks to the grey on the kitchen walls that are oh-so-close.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YHQXtP_cQ/UXA68ZK_ngI/AAAAAAAAPvo/W8OTNskDg8E/s1600/IMG_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YHQXtP_cQ/UXA68ZK_ngI/AAAAAAAAPvo/W8OTNskDg8E/s640/IMG_5278.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And straying away from the mantle for a moment, the coffee table....accessorized with a Threshold (Target) tray, a couple of books, coral and a brass shell that opens. Logan hides his candy in there. I've got to be a bad parent when the kids are hiding candy....like I wasn't going to find that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb2sIAQ4X48/UXA69qjk_bI/AAAAAAAAPvw/emAxVDeBokU/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb2sIAQ4X48/UXA69qjk_bI/AAAAAAAAPvw/emAxVDeBokU/s640/IMG_5259.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That little butterfly specimen is vintage too and real, my MIL found it for me along with a couple of others. I really like that one, Lord knows how old it is. It reminds me of The Butterfly Place in Branson, anyone been there? They have a large population of Blue Morphs. Man, I am all over the place today..... </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OPYg5FUxho/UXFL_hMFD_I/AAAAAAAAPxk/yxovCiPnE4Y/s1600/IMG_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OPYg5FUxho/UXFL_hMFD_I/AAAAAAAAPxk/yxovCiPnE4Y/s640/IMG_5277.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I might change the curtains, or I might not...I honestly just didn't have the energy to change them to the springy ones I made last year...oh well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IW-znL1SJ3A/UXFMAELZr7I/AAAAAAAAPxs/URmMdYVZWgg/s1600/IMG_5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IW-znL1SJ3A/UXFMAELZr7I/AAAAAAAAPxs/URmMdYVZWgg/s640/IMG_5276.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you've gotten a little inspiration for a mantle, I know most everyone has created a spring mantle...I'm late to the party. This will probably stay like this till summer. Speaking of summer, I am going home again this year, which I am really excited about. My nephew is graduating from East Carolina University( Go Pirates!) and I will not miss that! I have less than 20 days until I leave and I'm just hoping chemo doesn't screw things up. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXnfm4pBX5I/UXA6-5cAEUI/AAAAAAAAPv4/9aPLJkf33Ek/s1600/IMG_5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXnfm4pBX5I/UXA6-5cAEUI/AAAAAAAAPv4/9aPLJkf33Ek/s640/IMG_5254.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And speaking of chemo, I have that on Monday, so there will probably be radio silence for a while again. I want to talk to you again though, so we will chit-chat later. Just keep swimming!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-mantlescape-2013-and-other-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-2424522779062017781Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:46:00 +00002013-04-02T13:46:49.487-05:00Cancer DiaryChoosing My Attitude<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I write this, the year mark of chemotherapy has come and gone. I had some preconceived notion of how this new part of my life was going to go....discover that cancer has joined me again (uninvited, mind you), 6 months of chemo, tumors were going to vanish, I could proclaim "I'm cancer free!" and move on.....but it just isn't that cut and dry. Why on earth did I think it would be?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp; Attitude is everything isn't it? Whatever we face in life from the big things (like cancer) or the little things (laundry-ha) attitude can really make a difference. I've been told how strong I am, and I often pause, because, I don't really don't think about it in terms like that....I don't think to myself; "Today, Michelle, we are going to be strong!"....I open my eyes each morning, and I am aware of the blessing that is. I opened my eyes this morning. I am alive another day...and go from there. :) I think a lot of it comes from my personality, easy going, flexible, laid-back..."Oh? We're going to change my regimen for the 4th time? K."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The drug that I am currently on bottoms out my white blood counts, so the doctor has changed my regimen again...chemo every other week with a Nuelasta shot the day after. So we will see how this goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't blogged in a while and I would like to announce allllll the things I've done, but, quite frankly not much has been done. On a couple of days that I felt decent, I did do some leg work on figuring out what new counters I am going to select for <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/kitchen-facelift-phase-2-plan.html">The Kitchen Facelift: Phase 2</a>. I also purchased some cabinetry (not all) to start that part. It is slow going...but I'm focusing on the<i> going</i> part not the <i>slow</i> part. See? All in the attitude ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another ludicrous ER visit that I have to tell you about. I was innocently eating dinner one night, and because the chemo has weakened my teeth, I cracked a molar in half. Oh no, I think, dental work and chemotherapy is a big no-no (high risk of infection)...so I call the Dr. the next day, I get my blood checked, and he oks me to get the work done. I make an appointment with my dentist and we decide to extract the tooth. I get home after my appointment, everything had gone ok, then around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I start bleeding from the extraction site. I am changing gauze A LOT. I call the dentist and they tell me to hold ice water in my mouth to help the blood clot...I do this and it doesn't help at all. I will not gross you out with all the details...but we decide to go to the ER because <i>I never stop bleeding. </i>Fast forward to getting back home around 3 am (yes, I bled for a long time) and I am not home 15 minutes and I start bleeding again! I wait to see if it will stop again (another several hours) and it just won't....off to the ER again. As we are rolling into the ER, I check the gauze and I've stopped bleeding. We wait in the parking lot to see if it is going to start up again and it doesn't. We decide to call the cancer institute because my MIL is worried that I haven't eaten or drank anything that I'm dehydrated. They get me in right away and I get a bag of fluids and start feeling a tiny bit better. The bleeding has continued to hold off and we head back home and go to sleep...one of the worst experiences. Ugh.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to April 1st (just 4 days after the bleeding saga), I have an appointment to have chemo, guess what? Yep, you guessed it, my hemoglobin was too low to receive chemo. Ugh again. But it was all the blood loss from the tooth extraction (RBC's) not the WBC's as normal. So they send me over to the hospital to get a blood transfusion...which I have never had a transfusion before...so I was a little nervous. It was a very slow process, I got 2 units of blood, and I finally made it home just in time for The Voice. ;) It was a long day. They told me I would start feeling better by today and since I am writing, I suppose I am...the house is still a wreck, but at least I'm awake.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">On some much more exciting news...someone that wished to remain anonymous, bought this fantastic necklace for me! It is made by a gal that lives in Joplin (right by me). I first discovered her work at the 2 Friends &amp; Junk Show that she had a booth at...she has an Etsy shop called Tarnished Charm. So <i>somebody</i> saw that I liked this necklace and had it sent to me. I can't believe how generous people are!<a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/random-stuff.html"> Remember when a friend sent a juice book to me</a> (Hi Susan!!)??? I am just so thankful to whomever got this for me...actually, it's killing me! I really want to know who it is!! Ha!</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VxCG7khBAJQ/UVL3RgNy2ZI/AAAAAAAAPus/JmlxWVL1ApY/s1600/IMG_5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VxCG7khBAJQ/UVL3RgNy2ZI/AAAAAAAAPus/JmlxWVL1ApY/s640/IMG_5022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Isn't it just beautiful? Thank you to whoever sent this, I love it so much! (just leave your name in the comments, I won't tell anyone)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk-cH8Zof0U/UVL3RSZmbHI/AAAAAAAAPuo/ErEegPjkD0c/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk-cH8Zof0U/UVL3RSZmbHI/AAAAAAAAPuo/ErEegPjkD0c/s640/IMG_5017.JPG" width="426" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is everything that has been going on with me lately. I have had a few meltdowns in between, but still trying to maintain a certain level of peace by choosing my attitude.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for sticking around with me. I hope it won't be too long before I'm back...we'll see what this new juice does for me! :) </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/choosing-my-attitude.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-3135875553975994552Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +00002013-03-12T11:39:14.327-05:00kitchenkitchen faceliftphase 2Kitchen Facelift {Phase 2}: The Plan<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our biggest home improvement projects to date was when we did the <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-facelift-reveal.html">kitchen facelift</a> just over two years ago. If you remember, we live in a small basic builder home and we painted the basic oak cabinets....which has been so great for our family. I love it because it's not all white, not all black....it's a happy medium and you basically can add any color and/or pattern to a black and white scheme and it just works. When we did the facelift, the footprint of the kitchen remained the same and now that I'm ready to do the second string of updates, once again I'm keeping within the existing footprint. There just isn't a budget for a full gut job so that it why we are doing it in phases/layers and within our means.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is right after the Phase 1, or better known as the <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-facelift-reveal.html">Kitchen Facelift </a>2 years ago (click <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-facelift-reveal.html">HERE</a> to see all the befores and afters): </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pikEd18s-Mo/UTVoN-dqn7I/AAAAAAAAPtU/CqObgH99TA4/s1600/IMG_5227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pikEd18s-Mo/UTVoN-dqn7I/AAAAAAAAPtU/CqObgH99TA4/s640/IMG_5227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the beauty of Pinterest, I have collected about 77 pins on <a href="http://pinterest.com/sweetdesign72/dining-areas/">dining areas</a>. Naturally, a reoccurring theme emerged.....built in seating. I started thinking about how the eat-in part of our kitchen could be utilized more efficiently, give me more storage, a pantry, and built in seating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I like about this picture is the symmetry. Of course I do not have tall ceiling like this, but I like the seating flanked by cabinets with a rectangular table.&nbsp;</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlZ2eF6NPQ/UTVnY_z7bSI/AAAAAAAAPsg/vq0pdForiyo/s1600/kitchen4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlZ2eF6NPQ/UTVnY_z7bSI/AAAAAAAAPsg/vq0pdForiyo/s400/kitchen4.png" width="356" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This picture demonstrates another great use of space that I could incorporate. L-shaped seating and a round table. The only thing about this I don't like is that the people sitting on the end of the banquette wouldn't actually be able to access the table. In my small space, this wouldn't quite work. I still love everything in the picture though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgmUoVtQNRw/UTVnbyfaC7I/AAAAAAAAPso/xPomuR1EMLM/s1600/kitchen3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgmUoVtQNRw/UTVnbyfaC7I/AAAAAAAAPso/xPomuR1EMLM/s400/kitchen3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this picture, even though it's a much bigger house...the door and window are set up nearly like it is here. Another great option...and how cute are the framed flip-flops!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3bpBNQEqkY/UTVniFTxQ8I/AAAAAAAAPs4/VOWlc3mGj5c/s1600/kitchen1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3bpBNQEqkY/UTVniFTxQ8I/AAAAAAAAPs4/VOWlc3mGj5c/s640/kitchen1.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All pictures from<a href="http://pinterest.com/sweetdesign72/dining-areas/"> HERE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So from this view back, you can see what I have to work with. Beyond the peninsula, it's approximately a 10X11 area. If funds were unlimited, I would bump out the back of that wall, make this whole area the kitchen, get rid of the peninsula, and add some lovely French doors...but that just isn't going to happen-so I am going to work with what is here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1vdxh_8H-Y/UTVy0IW0pwI/AAAAAAAAPtg/J_1ITpd_PKY/s1600/IMG_5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1vdxh_8H-Y/UTVy0IW0pwI/AAAAAAAAPtg/J_1ITpd_PKY/s640/IMG_5216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As painful as it may be, I am going to store my hutch for a while. I considered selling it for a while, but I think I'm going to hold on to it for a little while...Justin and I worked really hard on that thing! The reality of it is...there is a lot of wasted space around the hutch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lG9MYvMsVI/UTVy34LdrbI/AAAAAAAAPto/-Hf_ZaFZSxw/s1600/IMG_5189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lG9MYvMsVI/UTVy34LdrbI/AAAAAAAAPto/-Hf_ZaFZSxw/s640/IMG_5189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here is what I've been toying around with. Keep in mind that the right side of this drawing is the existing kitchen and not changing at all....and yes, I realize that this is old school, doing it on paper ;) So, originally, I thought I would butt up the banquette along the back wall and peninsula and add cabinetry and a pantry on the left. Use a round table and 2 (maybe 3) different chairs. Then I thought it looked too tight even though this is the rough drawing and not to scale-I went back to the drawing board.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr44Og_Qwas/UT9JwltngDI/AAAAAAAAPuA/i5fDWWxR_EA/s1600/IMG_5014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr44Og_Qwas/UT9JwltngDI/AAAAAAAAPuA/i5fDWWxR_EA/s640/IMG_5014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the final plan to scale. By <i>centering</i> the banquette on the back wall, I can put full base cabinetry (30") on either side, the pantry (24"X72") by the back door and some sort of custom thing in between that I will have to call a cabinet maker in for.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp; This also includes new counter tops that I have been patiently waiting for almost 9 years for</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">I've thought long and hard about what to get, and I originally thought quartz...but in my heart of hearts I want marble, and after pricing both, marble is in our future! I think that it would look fantastic with the base cabs black and the uppers white-as they are. I'm hoping to find a vintage round table or talk Justin's Grandma out of one she has (it's an extra one). 2 or 3 new chairs, I've already listed my existing painted ones on Craigslist.&nbsp; I want to add in some more pot lights and I found a fantastic vintage fixture that I will be using (<b>see below</b>) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aside from the counters and the cabinet on the left, we are hoping to do this ourselves. Now that the plan is established, it's time for the real work to begin! It will most likely go pretty slow, and I'm not going to put any time constraints on myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8n6tO43py4/UT9Jy--6emI/AAAAAAAAPuI/9Xkh2x79WtM/s1600/IMG_5009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8n6tO43py4/UT9Jy--6emI/AAAAAAAAPuI/9Xkh2x79WtM/s640/IMG_5009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the vintage fixture I found-I cannot wait to incorporate this!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1fOXcOLCB8/UT9XqjmE3MI/AAAAAAAAPuY/7lN5Kv5zF8A/s1600/IMG_20130301_151012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1fOXcOLCB8/UT9XqjmE3MI/AAAAAAAAPuY/7lN5Kv5zF8A/s640/IMG_20130301_151012.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So. On the subject of marble, I want honed but my MIL thinks polished. Do any of you have experience with the pros and cons of marble? I need some input!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">***</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all for the love and support! I want to talk to you about chemo stuff, but later... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/kitchen-facelift-phase-2-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-3487298990823420299Sun, 03 Mar 2013 18:18:00 +00002013-03-03T12:18:39.155-06:00Cancer DiaryThe Chemo War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWSfbzpb8rY/UTNoXSEf4QI/AAAAAAAAPsQ/434NsI-dE-M/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWSfbzpb8rY/UTNoXSEf4QI/AAAAAAAAPsQ/434NsI-dE-M/s640/IMG_3570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where did I last leave you? Oh, that's right...I was going to come back after I had recuperated from my last chemo. The thing is I never recouped.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">First though, before I delve into cancer issues, I know some of you guys may be disappointed, bored or don't want to read about cancer (not in a bad way, just in a<i> I can't relate </i>way). I just want to say, I get that and I totally understand. In a "blogger" perspective, I'm doing everything wrong...infrequent posting, blogging outside my niche and too far too often, getting "too" personal and probably a whole host of other things that I'm not even aware of. But, I just want to say that if you are here, if you are reading, I want to thank you. Lord, I just typed that and I just rolled my eyes at myself....but if I were in your shoes, would I want to go from reading a fairly active DIY, decorating and crafting blog to reading about cancer??? I don't know.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that I am wearing those shoes, I think about things in a different perspective. I'm not the young go-getter with non-stop energy working all the time and trying to build a brand and get my foot in the door of a world I thought I wanted to be in....Maybe that is what God is trying to teach me? To slow down, look around and enjoy what I have and stop the incessant need to be constantly moving forward, perhaps in the direction He doesn't want me to go. To be at home, to spend time with my boys and family....to...COOK, for crying out loud! :) To teach me to except who and what I am right now. Right here. And not think about petty things that really don't mean anything. I am not talking about giving up on my dreams, I just mean...I'm getting my priorities straight. So, if you're here along with me, I so appreciate that...you guys are this net of lives that when I fall, you catch me and help me get back up. Ugh. I said too much again didn't I?....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SO. I had the new drug...if you remember, the tumors had grown, the doctors switched my chemo after only 3 treatments and I started something new. It was a weird regimen too...chemo on Day 1 (which ever day I started), Day 8, Nuelasta shot on Day 9, then treatment again on Day 21....then the cycle would start over. I had my first treatment on Day 1 and it was ok, we sort of have a routine down now, basically my MIL takes over for me till I feel better...I was so tired and that is normal, but I never started feeling better. Now it's time for Day 8. They always do labs first and I couldn't have chemo because my white blood cells were too low. 2.2 and I think the range starts at 4.4...so I couldn't get chemo and they sent me home. The next day, they call me in to get a shot to help my WBC, something similar to Nuelasta, just fast acting. I went back the next day to check my blood. If the counts had been low still, I would have gotten another shot but they weren't-they had shot up to 13.9!! That is off the charts! I went back home, chemo was to resume on Day 21. I still did not feel good at all and was sleeping a lot...and then the effects of that shot took effect. I still don't fully understand, it is suppose to stimulate white blood cell growth which in turn has a side effect of bone pain. The shot that they gave me was a 'fast acting' type of Nuelasta and the bone/joint pain was so severe, I was laying there on the sofa in tears.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 21 is slowly approaching...I am still shuffling around the house and my biggest accomplishments are "I loaded the dishwasher today!". The Sunday before President's Day, Logan and I are at home alone. I get up to go to the laundry room and come around the corner to see that Daisy (our beagle) has gotten into the trash. Ugh. So I'm cleaning up the mess and something happens. I am still not sure exactly...I started getting REALLY hot, dizzy and darkness over my eyes....I walked a few feet and felt this incredible urge to lay down. So I did. Right in the floor. I can't move my arms or legs, I can't get up. I am able to talk and I tell Logan to call Grandma...luckily, there is an icon on my phone, he didn't have to dial any numbers...I hear him calmly tell her that mommy is sick and laying in the floor...I still cannot move. Elaine (my MIL) rushes over so quick she didn't even put shoes on...she's trying to figure out what was happening...I've started hyperventilating....and she decides to call the paramedics (thank you Webb City Paramedics!!!). <i>Anyway</i>, long story short, I finally put my head on my own pillow around 4 am with absolutely no idea what caused what I now refer to as my "episode". I had a follow up appointment with my doctor, I explain to him what happened and he tells me that I had a type of seizure brought on by the antidepressant that he had started me on. Just great. Needless to say, he took me off the antidepressant. Day 21 came around and because of my issues, the doctor dialed back my chemo drug by 20%. Let me tell you...I could really tell the difference. I was still tired, but I started feeling better by the end of the week. I have even had another treatment (another Day 1) and by yesterday I was feeling better (<i>annnnnd</i> another week goes by). I have Day 8 tomorrow, so I hope to bounce back again in a week or so. It's such a tiresome cycle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's why the doctor started me on an antidepressant....I mean this chemo thing is just never going to end. I know the reality of my situation...I am terminally ill with stage 4 cancer, at this point the chemo is just a measure to try to stop it from spreading. That's the reality of it...my latest "spring craft" is not reality...not that I have one. :)&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More on reality, I have been trying to eat better to maybe help myself.....who knows.... Steve Jobs was a vegan his whole life and still died of cancer....so I am holding on to the knowledge that everyone is different in cases of cancer. Not that I am going vegan, but vegetarian, with a few slip ups here and there. It's not easy changing how you've been eating your entire life overnight....but I have been trying and that is what counts.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You might remember that I am a big fan of Kris Carr and inspired by her with her battle with cancer and she recently put out a cookbook for healthy eating (if you are with me on Instagram or FB, you know this). I've tried several of the recipes and I gotta tell you, for meatless-but-you-wouldn't-know-it recipes, I love the book! I have made crab cakes that didn't have crab, but SO good...Justin went crazy for them! Quesadillas made with black beans and avocado and cashew cream cheese that even Logan ate...I mean, maybe I can do this! I bought a food processor people, that is how serious this is!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So that is everything that has happened the last month since I left you...geez, the drama. Some fun DIY news for the near future though...we are going to start on Phase 2 of our Kitchen Facelift. I would go into it now with you but this has just been entirely too long as it is, so I will save it for the next time.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to say that I will talk to you after I recoup from chemo tomorrow, but I don't want to jinx myself!-Ha I will just tell you that I will talk to you soon and thank you so much for your support!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you want to catch up with me from everything from the Chemo room to my newest necklace ;) find me on Instagram at sweetsomethingdesign or on Facebook: Michelle Edwards.....If I was savvy enough, I'd link to those two things.....but<i> anyway</i>.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-chemo-war.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-3113696931516245977Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:00:00 +00002013-02-08T05:00:10.867-06:00boothrangeline antique mallA Fresh Look For The Booth<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Christmas, I packed up what little bit of Christmas things I had left and moved some things around in my booth. I added some new things and tried to accomplish a fresh, bright Spring look. I moved in the freshly painted dresser (see<a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/little-black-dresser.html"> HERE</a> if you missed the 'before') and moved other pieces around.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FA6ikDZTM-A/UP8d-gaixTI/AAAAAAAAPmQ/v1Me6-WMOZA/s1600/IMG_4944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FA6ikDZTM-A/UP8d-gaixTI/AAAAAAAAPmQ/v1Me6-WMOZA/s640/IMG_4944.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember this is only a 10X10 space so it's not a whole lot to share...but I moved the chalkboard doors over to the left hand side and flatten them up behind the dresser to hide as much of the pegboard as possible. For now, I've got artwork and plates hanging versus chalk art. It might look a little weird in the pictures having black on black, but in real life it doesn't look too bad. The dresser is high gloss and I really like it against the matte black of the chalkboard paint. I ordered in some huge purple snowballs and put together a giant arrangement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q57xNV35SQE/UP8d_UIF7PI/AAAAAAAAPmY/9JYMeOXVmxw/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q57xNV35SQE/UP8d_UIF7PI/AAAAAAAAPmY/9JYMeOXVmxw/s640/IMG_4949.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I bought another bi fold door at the Restore store in Joplin and decided these would be perfect in the color of the year. Here the door is before I painted and took it apart:</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hS5Zp9txqGg/URRaxZ9EQUI/AAAAAAAAPrI/FnDYXVkx090/s1600/IMG_4920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hS5Zp9txqGg/URRaxZ9EQUI/AAAAAAAAPrI/FnDYXVkx090/s640/IMG_4920.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I took each panel and painted it in a beautiful emerald (Emerald Lake from Behr) and set them on either side of the chalkboard doors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXrWwB11DpQ/UP8fAjOy2lI/AAAAAAAAPnI/lvPUwzOOaDg/s1600/IMG_4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXrWwB11DpQ/UP8fAjOy2lI/AAAAAAAAPnI/lvPUwzOOaDg/s640/IMG_4936.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hung some funky sconces on them too. I love the added color...how are you liking the color of the year? I might bring a little bit of it in the house here and there, but much like here at the booth, just as an accent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyczT8gFTXw/UP8fPw3lpEI/AAAAAAAAPn4/M4WcZJONka0/s1600/IMG_4963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyczT8gFTXw/UP8fPw3lpEI/AAAAAAAAPn4/M4WcZJONka0/s640/IMG_4963.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXlzSoY2_Zc/URRa7mm1Y7I/AAAAAAAAPrQ/Z7-c0SK099k/s1600/IMG_4954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXlzSoY2_Zc/URRa7mm1Y7I/AAAAAAAAPrQ/Z7-c0SK099k/s640/IMG_4954.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This cabinet is from the Restore too...it's a nice tall narrow cabinet. It was pretty beat up&nbsp; and a coat of paint was a sure fire way to liven it up. I have it priced, but it's really more for display. The before with doors closed:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjSeHiMSQgY/UP8fEjp1zwI/AAAAAAAAPnQ/8dBFxR2ngvs/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjSeHiMSQgY/UP8fEjp1zwI/AAAAAAAAPnQ/8dBFxR2ngvs/s640/IMG_4922.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...before with the doors open:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBGtAAX9gA/UP8fFBcKK2I/AAAAAAAAPnY/n4B8mVWQeOw/s1600/IMG_4924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBGtAAX9gA/UP8fFBcKK2I/AAAAAAAAPnY/n4B8mVWQeOw/s640/IMG_4924.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and finally in place all painted. All black with teal inside. I really wanted the milk glass to pop off that blue. Keegan and I moved the walnut buffet over to the right side of the booth (it was along the back) and put the cabinet on top.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ciVLExBkUY/UP8fIVbdbSI/AAAAAAAAPng/Szy_dudwXGk/s1600/IMG_4957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ciVLExBkUY/UP8fIVbdbSI/AAAAAAAAPng/Szy_dudwXGk/s640/IMG_4957.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5of8Ef5NiM/UP8fJs2VVpI/AAAAAAAAPno/35qzYTKqrZU/s1600/IMG_4958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5of8Ef5NiM/UP8fJs2VVpI/AAAAAAAAPno/35qzYTKqrZU/s640/IMG_4958.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be adding more things soon and I'll take even more pictures.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Hope you've enjoyed my little booth space so far!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytUuA_j1qhU/UP8fLfHmEOI/AAAAAAAAPnw/tias23JU2WM/s1600/IMG_4956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytUuA_j1qhU/UP8fLfHmEOI/AAAAAAAAPnw/tias23JU2WM/s640/IMG_4956.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have chemo again on Monday (boo) so I'll be away for a little while until I recuperate again. I'm itching to do a mantlescape at my house so hopefully I can get that done, it's pretty bare right now, for me anyhow!! Talk to you soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-fresh-look-for-booth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-8036853021229989730Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:00:00 +00002013-02-07T05:00:02.937-06:00blackboothpainted furniturerangeline antique mallLittle Black Dresser<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Now, I can imagine that if you read blogs long enough, that a simple paint job transforming an old piece of furniture is, frankly, getting old (so I hope you find this interesting). But for me, I never tire of spying a piece of furniture in it's current run-down form and imagine what it could be. Deciding what approach to take, what color, what sheen, should I replace the hardware? Questions and decisions circle feverishly in my head until I decide. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZHGzEC5stU/URJwytqVQSI/AAAAAAAAPps/gqhVZmHdVZ4/s1600/IMG_4934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZHGzEC5stU/URJwytqVQSI/AAAAAAAAPps/gqhVZmHdVZ4/s640/IMG_4934.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's a quick process, sometimes it's slow, but above all, I let the piece tell me what to do.This dresser clearly has good form, nice lines and in fairly good condition. Since the finish is outdated and the top is covered in cigarette burns, I ultimately decided on paint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQg2Ala1yJE/URJw08AtbfI/AAAAAAAAPp0/v_IRQuTTGlI/s1600/IMG_4926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQg2Ala1yJE/URJw08AtbfI/AAAAAAAAPp0/v_IRQuTTGlI/s640/IMG_4926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Because of it's fantastic shape, it really said regency to me...which in turn calls for a classic color, so I settled on black. Again, just your normal paint job with black I had on hand and a thin layer of polyurethane for some added shine. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTpHge4bn_E/URJw3CgxqTI/AAAAAAAAPp8/fyfPqqaHRMU/s1600/IMG_4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTpHge4bn_E/URJw3CgxqTI/AAAAAAAAPp8/fyfPqqaHRMU/s640/IMG_4946.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;For the handles, I considered replacing them, but why? They are certainly in scale with the dresser....I just had to come up with a technique to make them stand out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcbilrWGFlc/URJw4-Uo0bI/AAAAAAAAPqE/vBI8LMRgPyA/s1600/IMG_4947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcbilrWGFlc/URJw4-Uo0bI/AAAAAAAAPqE/vBI8LMRgPyA/s640/IMG_4947.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">First, I painted them black and let them dry. Next, I used a painter's brush (one of my gnarly ones) and Rub-N-Buff&nbsp; to get a gold tone over the black.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_AU0bY8wk0/URJw7e7sh7I/AAAAAAAAPqQ/5V7kQILQ3oI/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_AU0bY8wk0/URJw7e7sh7I/AAAAAAAAPqQ/5V7kQILQ3oI/s640/IMG_4960.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;It was just what it needed. A good solid color, a lot of shine and a little glam. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rH4vnA3V6-U/URJxAEwUV5I/AAAAAAAAPqY/4qd80HY7fzY/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rH4vnA3V6-U/URJxAEwUV5I/AAAAAAAAPqY/4qd80HY7fzY/s640/IMG_4949.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one almost stayed home with me but alas, it's available for sale in my booth. Sigh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be showing you some more of my booth in the coming days and show you how I've incorporated the color of the year: Emerald. Talk to you soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for commenting on my return to blogging. I had chemo on Monday with the new regimen. I have been down and out for several days so much so my dear MIL had to keep Logan for me....I just couldn't move. That's to be expected I suppose since it's a new drug and my body has to get use to it.&nbsp; Luckily, no vomiting, knock on wood. Knock.Knock.Knock. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/little-black-dresser.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-7903666018595605449Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:40:00 +00002013-02-03T13:40:39.919-06:00Hello Again and What's Happening!<div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Hello friends! You've waited for me and for that I am so grateful. As you know I took the month of January off to reevaluate some issues, spend time with my family and do other stuff, you know...life. Cancer. Chemo. Cocoa Puffs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;One of the thoughts I was reevaluating was keeping my booth space or not. I was torn because, well, I wasn't sure that I should be spending my time on a 10X10 space when in reality I'd like an entire store. Having cancer offers up a whole other host of&nbsp; fears when stepping off into the unknown of opening a store....it's been a dream of mine since I don't know when but now I feel like "opening a store?" what if I can't maintain it, take care of it, run it? Business ownership is not easy. Throw cancer and a dose of chemo in there and it's just not sensible. <i>Right now</i> anyway, and I can see that clearly. I will be patient....and in the mean time, I will make my little booth the best it can be and do what I can to make it excel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the cancer. Naughty, naughty cancer. I was doing ok on the new regimen and had a CT scan after 3 treatments. The new regimen is not doing any good. The tumors on my lungs are bigger and another showed up on my liver. Needless to say, "I ain't happy!" The doctors decided on a different regimen that I actually start tomorrow. There was no sense continuing the current regimen when the tumors are growing. So tomorrow, I start a new treatment, or as the doctor called it: "the 3rd line of treatment" (is there a 4th?, don't know). It's a weird one this time...1-3 hour treatment on Monday, then another 8 days later, then another 8 days later and then a Nuelasta shot the day after, then a free week...then it starts over again. We'll do another CT scan in 3 months and see how I'm doing. The side effects seem to be the same as always, but hopefully I will tolerate it well, the doctors seem to be happy how well I tolerate chemo at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see from the bad phone photos below my hair is coming in quite well. I no longer look like a cancer patient, just like I have a short hairstyle.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Justin and I went to see Silver Linings Playbook this weekend. We had a pre-chemo date night. :) Wanna know how long it's been since I've set foot in a theater? 3 years. I know crazy. It has to look like a REALLY good movie before I will actually spend the insane amount of money on movie tickets and concessions. And let's face it, Bradley Cooper will get me to the theater.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to eat at Applebee's afterwards which is another place that I haven't been in a really long time....probably 7 years? I don't get out much-ha!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3N4ZGE5tw/UQ6njZzc9eI/AAAAAAAAPok/bUabNHemZeo/s1600/20130202_222541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3N4ZGE5tw/UQ6njZzc9eI/AAAAAAAAPok/bUabNHemZeo/s640/20130202_222541.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">My hair is coming in so nicely that I actually called my hairstylist to shape up my neck...it was looking really scraggly. I was in the chair for exactly 8 minutes which I thought was hilarious. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A9zSR8wvXc/UQ6nkTcy9HI/AAAAAAAAPos/5H8uKyQgZL0/s1600/20130123_144857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A9zSR8wvXc/UQ6nkTcy9HI/AAAAAAAAPos/5H8uKyQgZL0/s640/20130123_144857.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I found this old blurry picture of me right before the cancer came back, I've got a little way to go! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEXOfaYDnrU/UQ6nqJDkd2I/AAAAAAAAPo8/UU2dVLXT1wA/s1600/IMG_5236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEXOfaYDnrU/UQ6nqJDkd2I/AAAAAAAAPo8/UU2dVLXT1wA/s640/IMG_5236.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I decided while on hiatus was to pick up my schooling again. I started out strong, but then when I got sick I put it on the back burner. I have decided that I WILL get my interior design degree. My goal is to get it on, in or around June 2013....pending chemo side effects. This was another one of those things that I was like "what are you going to get a degree for?" Lord, I have a lot of those nagging questions....but I can do this. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jr8UrRFDfqY/UQ6nmkg895I/AAAAAAAAPo0/5AqTbR5mZNU/s1600/20130126_183446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jr8UrRFDfqY/UQ6nmkg895I/AAAAAAAAPo0/5AqTbR5mZNU/s640/20130126_183446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Anyway, I am so thankful you all are here and thank you for sticking with me through this. I know this is just a blog, but you all offer such a support system for me and I'm happy to be here again. I'll let you know how the new treatments are going and I have to show you how the booth is looking too, so I will talk to you soon! </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/hello-again-and-whats-happening.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201476158505077804.post-9049584555865406471Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-12-28T05:00:10.184-06:00Goodbye For A While<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-nXfLfGRNs/UN0nlPCrjtI/AAAAAAAAPkc/XZgJBfHDuiI/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-nXfLfGRNs/UN0nlPCrjtI/AAAAAAAAPkc/XZgJBfHDuiI/s640/IMG_4591.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas, that you were surrounded by people you love. Back in the beginning of December when I said I would not be around much, I guess I wasn't kidding...it's been a while since I've sat down and written anything....it's surprising to me how easy it is not to be thinking of this part of my life for so long. It began as a feeling I was having to make the season less stressful....I decorated less, crafted less....and that felt ok...but between you and me, I miss the old me that was unstoppable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bw_drEx68SY/UN0nm4-O_QI/AAAAAAAAPkk/6gJ3_2gf8UE/s1600/IMG_4535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bw_drEx68SY/UN0nm4-O_QI/AAAAAAAAPkk/6gJ3_2gf8UE/s640/IMG_4535.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Then the tragedy in Newtown occurred and my heart has been burdened, it felt ridiculous to blog more than ever. I know that we must move forward, that we have to get back up again after being stunned and damaged....I have had to learn to do that dealing with cancer, it is not easy to do....but we must. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2Wr98iJ4d4/UN0nn0CN61I/AAAAAAAAPks/Ai_CjIPX0RY/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2Wr98iJ4d4/UN0nn0CN61I/AAAAAAAAPks/Ai_CjIPX0RY/s640/IMG_4534.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">I feel sort of foolish blogging to say I won't be blogging for a while, but I just don't want to stop and not let you guys know. I'm not giving up, I'm just taking a break. I am going to take as much time as needed to try to sort out a few things and of course continue to try to stay strong going through my treatments...it's hard to believe that I have been on chemo for almost a year now.....and really nothing to show for it but hair loss and medical bills. I have a CT scan the first part of January and maybe this new regimen is doing something??? We'll see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xCmnwvEb3A/UN0npDTaPcI/AAAAAAAAPk0/Fjx9E-KAOCU/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xCmnwvEb3A/UN0npDTaPcI/AAAAAAAAPk0/Fjx9E-KAOCU/s640/IMG_4527.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also don't want to go without saying thank you to all of you that have supported me through all of this. My cheering squad, my prayer warriors...please know how grateful I am that you take the time to whisper my name in prayer and comment here or take the time to email me. Countless times I am amazed at the comradeship we all have, but I shouldn't be, you guys are incredible. Thank you from the bottom, top and middle of my heart.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you all have a wonderful New Year! If you want to contact me, feel free to email me at sweetsomethingdesign@yahoo.com and even look me up on facebook.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from." T.S. Eliot </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elle72/7831378906/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011-12-013 by Sweet Something Design, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-12-013" height="119" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7831378906_8657de73b6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/goodbye-for-while.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ Sweet Something Design)58